Rethinking The Yearly Test

My thoughts are that the insurance companies are behind these studies... pushing for more and more limits on what they will or won't cover! For years,women have been having tests on a yearly basis such as Pap and Mammograms and now all of a sudden we are being told "no, you don't need these like we thought you did." Not for me... bring on the tests! A relative small amount of discomfort to help ensure a longer life - that's the plan for me. I am a breast cancer survivor of 5 golden years now thanks in part to my first mammogram at the age of 40. I shudder to think when my life would have ended if I had followed the new guidelines being spouted now instead of those we grew up with.

My family dr didn't say anything to me about this, just scheduled an appointment again for this test. That would be great if it wasn't needed yearly!!!

I'm a little leary of all of these reports coming out lately. Why do they all focus on women's health and reducing the amount of tests we need. What about men's health? It seems like there is a push to reduce the number of tests or screenings women need right before healthcare is passed. It makes me nervous that I won't get the kind of care I need in the future and my family has a high risk of cancer. Scary if you ask me.

I think it is wise to still receive one once a year. My OBGYN does it, even though the family doctor said "Hey, did you know you do not have to". I think it varies from doc to doc but to be safe I would think it is a good idea to keep with it. Some want you to have check ups every 6 mos with the pap once a year, but my doctor cut me down to only once a year check ups which is fine by me. :)

I work in the medical field & believe they should be done yearly. Ive seen too many regret not kaving it done on a regular basis. I frequently wonder if this has anything to do with the goverment health care proposal, and cut on medical expences.

I wont chance it! Its like they are tring to weed out the women race!

WHy take a chance that they will say in a year that you should have them yearly due to the increase in cancer cases? It is a not worth the risk.

I think the decision is for the woman to make. Makes me wonder if they really know what they are talking about.

I have had cervicle cancer about 11 years ago. Lucky for me I had 13 biopsy's and that took care of that so far. So when I took my daughter to the doctors they suggested she come more often. I recommended she go every year no matter what. Even though mine have beeen normal, I will still go every year. I say women need this test.

I have had anual pap tests as recomended.If i had not,I believe,my cancer would not have been caught in time.I am 100% cancer free 16 years later.

i think it is up to every womens decesion what ever she feels is the right decesion

I personally think that this decision is a womam's choice. She should know her own body. Who should be able to tell me I shouldn't have this yearly? Is this another ploy so the insurance companies do not have to pay? I think if woman do not have the option of having this test done yearly and it being paid by their insurance, they will alos not go in for a yealy gynelogical exam either nor will they go for their yeraly mamograms..........

Instead of taking away from women's health care, the ACOG should be adding recommendations. In fact, women should be demanding more. There is a simple blood test for detecting ovarian cancer. It has been around for years, and yet rarely does a doctor suggest it. It is never part of the usual yearly blood work and it should be. If this is typical as to where health care is going, we are in trouble!

I agree that a yearly pap test should be part of a full physical with blood work for women yearly. At the very least, this should be done every other year.

I think that the recommendation for the ACOG is a bad idea. I think that women need to continue the routine as it is currently in place. We need early diagnosis to be able to detect a problem so that the problem can be reverse or prevented.