The screening women over 49 shouldn’t skip, but too many do

I was watching a really funny show the other day, where a group of women who live in an extremely rural area looks forward to heading to the big city each year for their gynecological checkup.

Why?

Well, certainly not because women liked to stick their feet in those cold stirrups and feel the breeze (and strange eyes) on their most intimate area, but instead because it was their one chance to get away and have a girls’ day — shopping, laughing and spending time together.

The good part was the fact that they happily anticipated their bonding time ensured that they never missed the appointment so many of us put off or skip completely.

Yup, the dreaded Pap test.

A most avoidable cancer

If you’re like me, you might even remember the first Pap smear you ever went through.

I say “went through” instead of “had” because honestly that first one, and sometimes all of them, is an ordeal between the feeling that your dignity has vanished and the uncomfortable scraping.

But, the truth is, it’s one of the most important things you can do for your health.

That’s because the Pap test can identify cervical cancer both in the early stage and when it’s just pre-cancerous cells — when it’s not too late to save your life.

In fact, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer affecting women in the United States, especially when you combine the Pap test with the HPV test that directly screens for the presence of the cancer-causing human papillomavirus.

That’s super important since virtually all cervical cancers are caused by HPV.

There’s just one problem…

Because most of the attention in recent years has focused on preventing infections in younger women through vaccinations against HPV, those of us who are most likely to actually be diagnosed with cervical cancer have been largely ignored.

And, it’s showing in how many of us are getting screened regularly.

To catch it early, that’s why

You see, according to a brand-new study by researchers at the University of Michigan who followed more than 79,400 women, there is a steep drop off in cervical cancer screening between the ages of 45 and 65.

That’s a scary statistic when you consider the fact that half of all cervical cancers are diagnosed after the age of 49.

“Early detection is key to preventing invasive, devastating and potentially fatal cases of cervical cancer,” says senior study author Diane Harper, M.D., M.P.H., a professor in the departments of Family Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the U-M Medical School.

“From a public health standpoint, screening of women under 30 is considered to be the least effective investment of resources, because cancer tends to develop in middle age. Meanwhile, if a woman is screened after age 42, there is an 8 in 10 likelihood no cancer will be detected at her next screening a few years later — meaning they’re a vital way of catching problems early.”

Get screened, stay safe and shake it off

So, don’t allow your age to change your commitment to cervical cancer screening. Some women think that just because they are no longer menstruating or may be less sexually active that the Pap test may not be necessary.

Nothing could be further from the truth…

Current recommendations by the American Cancer Society are for women between ages 30 and 65 to receive a Pap test every 3 years and an HPV test every five.

Although, according to the Michigan researchers, the HPV test alone is good enough since they found that going through both tests added little benefit for early cancer diagnosis.

The best advice?

Talk to your gynecologist to get recommendations based on your individual health and needs and make sure to find out when you last were screened. You may be surprised to find out how long it’s been.

If you really find the experience uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about how you feel. If you’re uncomfortable having a male doctor performed your exam and test, there are plenty of female gynecologists. Just remember, it’s a medical test and everyone involved has your best interests at heart.

Sources:

1. Cervical cancer screening numbers drop off in women 45-65 — EurekAlert!
2. Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for Average-Risk Women — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention