In Australia, the national guidelines now say that patients should have 2 yearly pap smears. The patient can elect to have yearly smears but medicare will only pay for one smear each 2 years unless there is a history of abnormal smears in which case the billing scenario will change slightly. The smear then becomes a non screening smear and will then be paid by medicare.
The pap smear is the best test available for the detection of cervical cancer. In Australia, it has now been determined by extensive studies that smearing annually has no more additive effects to improving the statistics for morbidity and mortality than if the smears had been done bi-annually. Hence 2-yearly paps is now recommended in patients with previously undetected lesions.
YES ! Even with the new vaccine "Guardasil" women will still need yearly Pap's.The vaccine only protects against certain papilloma viruses,not all.All women sexually active should have a yearly Pap smears,sexually active young teens also need this test. Cervical cancer caught early, is almost 100% curable.It remains the best defense for women,to diagnose early cervical cancers,after almost 50 years of use.Cervical cancer is almost asymptomatic,meaning there isn't any one big thing to watch for.Only irregular vaginal bleeding,and post coital bleeding,until a visable cervical lesions are present. Take care. SW FNP
Any doctor who tells you that you need to have a pap done every 12 months is nothing more than a pervert.
The standard interval between tests is 2 years, unless you have had previous questionable test results, in which case you should have a smear done every 6 months.
I disagree with Bun up above. You SHOULD have them every 12 months. This is from internet resources and from doctors. If your doctor is pervy maybe you should swtich Bun.
Especially if you are sexually active, go every 12 months.
Comments
I have heard if you always have a good pap every year then you are fine. Ask your doc the next time you go in! Also...watch for signs and symptoms!
In Australia, the national guidelines now say that patients should have 2 yearly pap smears. The patient can elect to have yearly smears but medicare will only pay for one smear each 2 years unless there is a history of abnormal smears in which case the billing scenario will change slightly. The smear then becomes a non screening smear and will then be paid by medicare.
The pap smear is the best test available for the detection of cervical cancer. In Australia, it has now been determined by extensive studies that smearing annually has no more additive effects to improving the statistics for morbidity and mortality than if the smears had been done bi-annually. Hence 2-yearly paps is now recommended in patients with previously undetected lesions.
YES ! Even with the new vaccine "Guardasil" women will still need yearly Pap's.The vaccine only protects against certain papilloma viruses,not all.All women sexually active should have a yearly Pap smears,sexually active young teens also need this test. Cervical cancer caught early, is almost 100% curable.It remains the best defense for women,to diagnose early cervical cancers,after almost 50 years of use.Cervical cancer is almost asymptomatic,meaning there isn't any one big thing to watch for.Only irregular vaginal bleeding,and post coital bleeding,until a visable cervical lesions are present. Take care. SW FNP
yes and no a pap smear can detect abnormal cells which require more testing which can find cervical cancer.
You don't need to have one done every year.
Any doctor who tells you that you need to have a pap done every 12 months is nothing more than a pervert.
The standard interval between tests is 2 years, unless you have had previous questionable test results, in which case you should have a smear done every 6 months.
I disagree with Bun up above. You SHOULD have them every 12 months. This is from internet resources and from doctors. If your doctor is pervy maybe you should swtich Bun.
Especially if you are sexually active, go every 12 months.