Task Force Recommends Fewer Pap Smears
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: March 14, 2012
A government task force has released new guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is now calling for women 21 to 65 to have a PAP test only every three years. The recommendations say low risk women 30 and over can be tested every 5 years, if they get an HPV test at the same time.
HPV or the human papilloma virus is the main cause of cervical cancer.
The American Cancer Society and other health groups released similar recommendations for less frequent pap smear. Doctors say over-screening is leading to unnecessary procedures that can increase the chance of pregnancy complications.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is now calling for women 21 to 65 to have a PAP test only every three years. The recommendations say low risk women 30 and over can be tested every 5 years, if they get an HPV test at the same time.
HPV or the human papilloma virus is the main cause of cervical cancer.
The American Cancer Society and other health groups released similar recommendations for less frequent pap smear. Doctors say over-screening is leading to unnecessary procedures that can increase the chance of pregnancy complications.
