The Rap on NOT Getting a Yearly Pap

“What do you mean I don’t need a Pap test this year?”  For many years, individuals with a cervix have considered a yearly gynecologic exam and Pap test to be an essential — albeit unpleasant — aspect of staying healthy. That paradigm began to change in 2009 when the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended that for individuals with a cervix who have either never had an abnormal Pap test or for those who have had three normal tests in a row, the screening interval can be extended to every two to three years, depending on age.

It’s not only safe to extend the time between Paps, it may also help protect you from unnecessary procedures. Here’s the background information: Pap tests detect early abnormalities in the cervix that are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). If left untreated for several years (or perhaps decades), some of these abnormalities can eventually develop into cervical cancer. But most of the time, your immune system eliminates the HPV infection long before it causes cancer.

The problem is that if an abnormality is detected on a Pap test – even if it’s destined to go away on its own – your provider will be compelled to do further testing, such as a colposcopy and, in some cases, treat the abnormalities. This can cause significant harm (ranging from pain and anxiety to potentially compromised fertility) without producing any health benefits.

By spacing out Pap screenings in individuals with a cervix who are at low risk for cancer, we can reduce the rate of over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. An extended interval between Paps gives the immune system more time to take care of HPV infections on its own. This strategy is safe because even if a cervical abnormality goes undetected for three years, it will still be easy to treat and will have been found in plenty of time.

Individuals who are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer should continue to undergo annual screening. Talk to your health care provider if you think you are in this category. As a general rule it includes people with HIV or other immune system diseases, individuals who have been exposed to diethylstilbestrol (a synthetic estrogen banned in the 1970s), and those who have previously been treated for serious cervical problems.

• Practice safe sex. Using condoms reduces the risk of getting new HPV infections; it also helps protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
• Stop smoking: Individuals with a cervix who smoke while being infected with HPV have a higher risk of progression to cervical cancer. You’ll be doing your lungs and your cervix a favor by putting down the cigarettes. (Not to mention all the other organs negatively affected by smoking.)
• Don’t put off your Pap indefinitely. They’re still key for preventing cervical cancer, which affects roughly 12,000 individuals in the U.S. annually. Be sure to stay on schedule for your Pap screening.
• Remember that a visit to the doctor can involve much more than a gynecologic exam. For those who have chronic health conditions or are taking regular medications, a yearly physical exam is warranted even if a Pap test isn’t needed.