Pap Smears: 21?

On the heels of controversial new theories on breast cancer screenings comes another expert report, saying women can start pap smears at 21 and have them once every two years instead of yearly checkups.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists handed down these new recommendations strictly by coincidence right after the unrelated breast cancer report. This pap smear report says that cervical cancer grows slowly enough that yearly checkups are not needed in that age range, and you can coordinate with your doctor to check one every two years instead. But many still worry that the medical establishment is just trying to cut corners with our health care, especially with these two similar reports coming out at once.

Tags: Health, Media, News