Changes in Women’s Health Screening Recommendations

DAYTON - In response to the Columbia County Health Department's focus on Women's Health for the month of May, Dawn Meicher, ARNP, of the Waitsburg Clinic shared updated cervical and breast cancer screening recommendations with The Times.

According to Meicher, it is now recommended that the first PAP test be done three years after engaging in unprotected sex or age 21, with annual PAP's until age 30. However, after three tests with normal results, testing may be slowed to every three years and can be discontinued at around age 70, if testing has remained negative. PAP tests save lives by finding cervical cell changes early, before they turn to cancer and endanger a woman's reproductive organs or even her life.

New information regarding cervical cancer came to light with the discover of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which accounts for up to 70% of cervical cancers. There is now a vaccine against many HPV strains for both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 26. Washington state provides the series of three vaccines free of charge until age 18.

Mammogram recommendations have changed as well. Rather than starting at 40, the first exam may be delayed until age 50. Subsequent exam recommendations have slowed from annually to every two years.

Meicher notes that even though screening recommendations may change, it is between a woman and her Health Care Provider to determine which screenings may be right for them.