Less rigid guidelines about the age and frequency that women should receive Pap smears have been issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
On Nov. 20, the ACOG announced that women should start getting Pap smears at age 21 instead of 18, and they should get tested every two years instead of annually. It recommends that women age 30 who are at low risk for cervical cancer and who have had three normal Pap smears in a row may get tested only every three years from then on.
The American Medical Association said medical groups wonder if these guidelines are part of a larger plan to reduce cancer screening for women.
It's a coincidence that these guidelines came the same week the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force published recommendations about mammography tests, said Dr. Cheryl Iglesia, chairwoman of a panel in the obstetrician's group that developed the Pap smear guidelines, in a press release from the New York Times.
About three million to four million abnormal Pap results are found each year, according to the National Cancer Institute, but only about 13,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed. About 4,000 women die each year of the disease.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
