health
New guidelines call for less-frequent Pap smears
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 31, 2011
Pap smears should be conducted once every three years on women 21 to 65 who have had vaginal intercourse and have a cervix, says a draft recommendation statement by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The statement, issued Oct. 17, also recommends against screening for cervical cancer using human papillomavirus testing in women younger than 30. The task force said there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of HPV testing for cervical cancer screening in that age group.
The new guidance updates task force recommendations issued in 2003 (link). The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed guidelines through Nov. 16.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/hlbf1031.htm.
