New Recommendations - What's the Price?

Guest comment by Sam L., SBI Health Education intern

As you may know from local newspapers and national news reporters, there have been recommendations on biannual Pap smear testing and the limiting of mammogram testing. The biannual Pap smear testing has been advised through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They recommended that women have a Pap smear test every two years instead of annually. Women have been advised that they should have annual check-ups with their gynecologists by their primary gynecologists and physicians. MSNBC suggests that the government is trying to cut health costs by making this adjustment. The New York Times said, “Dr. Iglesia (ACOG) said that the argument for changing Pap screening is more compelling than that for cutting back on mammography…because there is more potential for harm from the overuse of Pap test.” She also suggests that young women are more prone to abnormalities that clear up on their own.

Women should have the right to have annual testing, not just to know whether or not they may have cervical cancer, but also to know their “status.” Pap smears have become a part of an annual check-up when visiting the gynecologist’s office. It also provides as a screening tool for women who may contract HPV. Certain strands of HPV may cause cervical cancer.

The new recommendations regarding mammogram screenings issued through the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggested that women ages 40-49 do not need mammograms. Their reasoning for the cut-back is that they believe that out of 1,900 women between the ages of 40 to 49, only statistically one would have breast cancer. It would only save one life. However, many oncologists believe that their primary reason for their job is to save that one life. Mammograms may provide them the information they need to save that life. They disagree with the USPSTF recommendations, and this reaction is apparent. According to CNN, Dr. Therese Bevers discussed her feelings and reactions on the new recommendations for mammograms. She said, “You have to screen more women. It’s the value we put on zero women dying.” Their ultimate purpose for their jobs is to save that “one” life.

Women should have the right to have annual testing, whether it is a Pap smear or a mammogram, at any age. Women should be able to prevent the spread of cancer throughout their body at any point of time, and they should be able to know their status at any point in time in their life. There should not be an age limit on the amount of services that are given.

Issue on new guidelines for Pap smears:
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr11-20-09.cfm

Issue on new mammogram recommendations:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm