Doctor's Group: Delay Pap Tests Until 21

Nov. 20, 2009 -- Less than a week after a government task force announced
controversial recommendations for breast cancer screening, a doctor's group is
recommending big changes in cervical cancer screening.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now says
women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21, rather than earlier in
life.
And the group no longer recommends annual screening for most women.
The new breast cancer recommendations sparked heated debate within the
medical community. Even those who support delaying the onset of mammography
screening acknowledge that some breast cancers will be missed.
But experts tell WebMD the revised cervical cancer guidelines will not be as
controversial.
"The new recommendations for cervical cancer screening really do not miss
any cancers," says David E. Soper, MD, who chairs ACOG's Gynecological Practice
Bulletin Committee.
"The data are very clear," he tells WebMD. "For women in their 20s, having
an annual Pap smear will find no more cancers than screening every two
years."



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http://www .webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/news/20091120/doctors-group-delay-pap-tests-until-21?src=RSS_PUBLIC