Ask the Doctor: Dr. David Barker response to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Question: Is a “Pap smear” the same thing as a “woman’s annual exam?” Answer: No. For decades, women have been encouraged to get cervical cancer screening as a key component of their annual preventative exams. Historically, that cervical test has been called a “Pap smear,” reflecting the doctor who started the test and the way specimen has been prepared. And so, over the years, the terms “Pap smear” and “annual exam” have become synonymous. Today that is no longer the case. With advances in molecular technology and with more research into the causes of cervical cancer, there are new recommendations on cervical cancer screening. Many medical societies* agree that yearly cervical cytology is no longer the only screening option for many patients, and in some groups it may actually be inappropriate. Testing for high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key part of this screening. Please ask your OB/GYN physician for more details about current cervical cancer screening guidelines as they apply to you. While cervical cancer screening is not necessarily done annually, other issues in women’s health do need annual attention. Each year a woman should have a medical history taken, have a physical exam that includes a breast and pelvic exam, have age-appropriate counseling and screening for infections, domestic violence, breast cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease, and have yearly updates of chronic medical conditions and medications. In summary, yearly health screening is universally recommended for women even if the Pap smear is not necessarily done annually. *American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society, US Preventative Services Task Force, and American Society of Clinical Pathologists
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 16:52:22 +0000
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