Every 3 years

[Luvkenny]

My gynecologist told me that I only needed to get my pap test every three years from now on. My insurance will cover it every year. Why would I want to wait every three years? Doesn't that sound like a long time in between?

 

[StarGazer]

A lot of doctors are saying 2-3 years is perfectly fine between check-ups now. The medical community believes that annual exams are an unnecessary expense for most women.

 

[Alli]

Every three years would have been wonderful when I was your age. It's not on my top ten list of favorite things to do so if I never have to have another one it will be O.K. Luckily, the older I get the less frequent they happen.

 

[Luvkenny]

I don't like them either but I do like the peace of mind I get after one. I think I will get it every year regardless. Didn't they say we didn't need mammograms every year too.

 

[freshfoodie]

As long as you have never had an abnormal pap most doctors are recommending every 2-3 years. I don't have a problem with that at all. I had to have an extra one this year because for the first time in 17 years I failed one.

 

[Luvkenny]

My doctor called me and told me that they did not have enough tissue/cells to test. She told me that I did not have to come back in though, we could just do it next year. I was okay with that!

 

[chabella]

Our insurance still pays yearly and I will continue to go each year. I would rather go and spend the extra time along with money to make sure I am good to go rather than skip a year with a possible gap in diagnosing something major.

 

[Luvkenny]

That is exactly what I am saying chabella. Cervival cancer is a tough one to beat. I can stand ten minutes of discomfort every year. Early detection is your best bet of beating cervical cancer. I can't see how every three years is early detection.

 

[SoftRain]

I wouldn't be comfortable going only every 3 years, especially since I had to be treated for cervical dysplasia while in college. I can push it until about 18 months but that's as far as I go.

It's too bad, since pap smears aren't exactly fun.

 

[Lilly]

I wouldn't be at all comfortable waiting every three years just because cervical cancer is so hard to beat, especially if you don't catch it early on.

 

[herbalnut]

I don't think I would feel very comfortable waiting every 3 years. My insurance pays for every year and that's what I'll do. In fact, I once had an abnormal pap. It turned out okay, but it made me realize the importance of it.