First, let’s review. We’ve been getting a lot of updates to cancer screening tests lately.
Pap Smears, a screening test for cervical cancer, were recommended to be done annually, until a group of experts in prevention concluded that every three years was equally effective. Most medical groups, including the American Cancer Society, agree on this one.
Then there’s mammography. I think everyone knows the debate around that. Every year orevery other year? Starting at 40? or 50? The evidence points to every two years after age 50, although many doctors maintain younger and more often is better.
But this latest one — about pelvic exams — caught me by surprise. It turns out there’s really not a whole lot of evidence that doing an annual pelvic exam makes any difference to a healthy woman’s continuing good health. (Again, we’re stressing healthy women. Women having symptoms are definitely candidates for a pelvic exam). Read full article.
