-Don’t do screening Pap smears annually in those with previously normal results -Don’t do Pap smears in those who have had a hysterectomy for non-malignant disease.
The potential harm from screening younger than 25 years of age outweighs the benefits and there is little evidence to suggest the necessity of conducting this test annually when previous test results were normal. Those who have had a full hysterectomy for benign disorders no longer require this screening. Screening should stop at age 70 if three previous test results were normal.
For more information:
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Cervical cancer screening guidelines: Environmental scan [Internet]. 2013 Sep [cited 2017 May 9].
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, et al. Recommendations on screening for cervical cancer. CMAJ. 2013 Jan 8;185(1):35-45. PMID: 23297138.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Cervical screening [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2017 May 5].
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Pap Tests: When you need them and when you don’t
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care: Who should be screened for Cervical Cancer?
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care: Should you be screened for Cervical Cancer?