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Pap Smear After a Hysterectomy Is it Necessary

Pap Smear after a Hysterectomy

The Pap Smear may be unnecessary if you have had a complete hysterectomy. If you are one of the millions of Americans that have undergone a complete hysterectomy, you may be unnecessarily submitting to annual Pap smears according to a new study.

More than 10 million women each year have a complete hysterectomy. Despite this many are still receiving their annual Pap smear for screening of cervical cancer. However women who have had a hysterectomy are no longer at risk for acquiring cervical cancer.

According to a study printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in a vast majority of women who receive complete hysterectomies, an annual Pap smear is unnecessary.

A complete hysterectomy must include removal of the cervix. Women whose cervix has been removed and who have had no cancerous or precancerous lesions detected in the years preceding the procedure do not have to undergo an annual Pap exam according to the study.

This does not imply however that women do not need an annual OB/GYN appointment. On the contrary, all women should still submit to an annual pelvic exam, as all women are still at risk for reproductive disorders including ovarian disease.

Deciding On a Course of Action
Despite recent recommendations and research suggesting that annual Pap smears are not necessary for all women, many physicians are reluctant to give them up.

In fact, since the new guidelines have been published, studies conducted by the Centers of Disease Control suggest that physicians are still conducting annual pap exams on most women.

Many of these Pap smears are unnecessary, conducted on women who have undergone a complete hysterectomy including removal of their cervix.

The lack of change in behavior can result in a waste of time and money. Physicians however, have been reluctant to change because Pap smears have been so effective in the past, and they encourage women to continue receiving annual exams, which are in fact vital to their health and well being.

What physicians need to work on is education. Patients need to understand that annual exams are vital. They also need to understand exactly who is at risk for cervical cancer and who is not.

Any woman who has had dysplasia or precancerous lesions in the past, or who is immune compromised, still is in need of a Pap smear. Physicians must work together with patients to inform them of their risks.

Ensuring Positive Health Outcomes
What can you do to ensure the best possible care and to prevent any unnecessary procedures? You must be sure you are open and up front with your OB/GYN. Be sure to express any concerns you have and your risk factors for cervical cancer. Together with your OB/GYN you can come up with a plan of action for ensuring your health and well being over time.

If you believe you are a candidate for less frequent Pap smears or a cessation of testing altogether, be sure you consult with your physician first prior to making this critical decision. Your life may depend on it.