Women’s Health

RECENT POSTS

January 3, 2013 | 4:00 PM | By

Pap Tests for Cervical Cancer Are Too Often Overused

Healthy cervix cells, gathered during a Pap test, as seen under a microscope. (Euthman/Flickr)

Healthy cervix cells, gathered during a Pap test, as seen under a microscope. (Euthman/Flickr)

January is Cervical Health Awareness month, and the Centers for Disease Control is celebrating by highlighting just how poorly the US is doing at following established guidelines.

In dual reports today, the CDC finds that many women are being screened for cervical cancer way too often — while other women are not screened enough.

Let’s start with the guidelines themselves. In 2012, three different groups, the US Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all came to agreement: Women ages 21 to 65 should receive a Pap test — the definitive screen for cervical cancer — once every three years. If you’re either under 21 — or 65 or older, you don’t need one, barring certain limitations. (Some women opt for an additional HPV test and can be screened with a Pap test every five years.)

In addition, the overwhelming number of women who have had a total hysterectomy (in which the cervix is also removed) do not need any more Pap tests. As Dr. David Chelmow, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, told Reuters, ”It’s tough to get cervical cancer without a cervix.”

The upshot from the CDC’s survey? Here are the numbers:

  • 41.5% of women ages 18 to 21 had a Pap test in the last year, despite the recommendations that they don’t need them Continue reading →
FILED UNDER: Policy, You're the Boss, Cervical Cancer, Overtreatment, Pap Tests, Women's Health
December 18, 2012 | 5:35 PM | By

Et Tu, Pelvic Exams?

Women can add pelvic exams to list of medical tests they may not need as often — or at all

(Maigh/Flickr)

(Maigh/Flickr)

First, let’s review. We’ve been getting a lot of updates to cancer screening tests lately.

Pap Smears, a screening test for cervical cancer, were recommended to be done annually, until a group of experts in prevention concluded that every three years was equally effective. Most medical groups, including the American Cancer Society, agree on this one.

Then there’s mammography. I think everyone knows the debate around that. Every year or every other year? Starting at 40? or 50? The evidence points to every two years after age 50, although many doctors maintain younger and more often is better.

Women get them annually, even though we “lack data” that they do much for us.

But this latest one — about pelvic exams — caught me by surprise. It turns out there’s really not a whole lot of evidence that doing an annual pelvic exam makes any difference to a healthy woman’s continuing good health. (Again, we’re stressing healthy women. Women having symptoms are definitely candidates for a pelvic exam).

Here’s what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says about the pelvic exam, after recommending it be done annually: Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Policy, You're the Boss, cancer, Overtreatment, Women's Health