Nov 20, 2009 5:52 pm US/Eastern
Panel Changes Recommendations For Pap Smears
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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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.
AP
Cervical cancer rates have fallen by more than 50 percent in the past 30 years due to widespread use of Pap tests where cells from the cervix, or the opening to the womb, are looked at under the microscope for signs of cancer.
A government panel of doctors and epidemiologists has looked closely at the data of how useful Pap tests are at picking up cancer and in whom. Based on this, they've changed the screening recommendations.
Twenty-one is the age for notable firsts and now it is the new age at which a young woman should start getting screened for cervical cancer.
Previously it was within three years of starting sexual activity. But that could do more harm than good, especially since abnormal pap tests often clear up on their own anyway in teens.
"When you start screening young women too early what happens is you pick up a lot of non-threatening viral infections that result in procedures being done to the woman's cervix. That impact on the cervix is that it decreases the fertility of women, particularly if it's done when they're young," says Dr. Robert Edwards, a gynecologic cancer specialist at UPMC Magee Women's Hospital.
Furthermore, the new recommendations say it is no longer something to do every year if your paps are normal, but every other year for women under 30 and every three years for those over 30.
"The Pap smear is extremely effective way of screening, of preventing cervix cancer, and so it's effective enough that the screening can be extended and still be effective," says Dr. Edwards.
"Actually, I'm not comfortable with that. I do go for my screening every year, and will continue to do so," says a woman walking in Oakland.
"It runs in my family so, I like to get checked yearly," says another young woman.
"It's less hassle. You don't have to go to the doctor as often," points out another woman.
Cervical cancer comes from certain strains of HPV, or the human papilloma virus, which is sexually transmitted.
There is a vaccine now, but the impact of this may not be felt for 20 years.
"Eventually, I suspect that the treatment recommendations will be extended. We'll spend less money on annual paps and more money on vaccination," Dr Edwards predicts.
He is concerned fewer paps may lead women to not get their screening at all.
"Most folks don't actually get their Pap smear right on time every year. So now you tell them they can wait two years, three years, and they fall off the curb," he said. "Because it's not part of an annual exam and that is the concern most health care providers have."
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.
For example, surgery on the cervix can affect carrying any future babies to term.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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