Amidst the hubbub caused by the new breast cancer screening guidelines put forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, new cervical cancer screening guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were revealed this past week with much less controversy. According to ACOG, “A review of the evidence to date shows that screening at less frequent intervals prevents cervical cancer just as well, has decreased costs, and avoids unnecessary interventions that could be harmful.” The new recommendation is to screen women between the ages of 21 and 30 every two years instead of annually. Women 30 and older with a history of 3 consecutive negative pap smears may be screened every 3 years. Recommendations for older women remain unchanged – those 65 to 70 who have had 3 consecutive negative pap smears and no abnormal results within the past 10 years may consider stopping cervical cancer screening. Of course, every person’s medical history is different and these guidelines should be only used as such. Appropriate screening frequencies should always be discussed and formulated between you and your physician. [via ACOG]
Visit the Cervical Cancer Guide and learn about pap smears.
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Tags: ACOG, breast cancer, cervical cancer, gynecology, pap smear, screening
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 am
looking for information on lesion to the brain what are they and how dangerous and what can be done if anything
December 7th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
What else would one expect in this profit-for-people’s lives mentality? I expect the next “American College of Obstetericians and Gynecoligists” to delay the age for women’s health screenings to be about 35 years. As long as it lines the politicians pockets and we pay higher taxes, what the hell do we care? One would expect this sad, sick joke of a healthcare system geared to the higher-payer and not for everyone, this damn country just ain’t getting rid of these death-trap HMO’S AND GET UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE. I TRIED TO LIVE WITH MY HMO BUT I CANNOT FIND A DOCTOR WHO SUITS HIS TITLE. All this country wants is oil and they are not going to stop until they get what they want; no matter how many lives are spared. People, if you have the money, move to a civilized country. I sure wish I could. People are so brainwashed it’s silly. They think Bin Laden is hiding in the caves of Afganistan. WAKE UP AMERICA!