Changes to Pap Smear Screening Guidelines

Changes to Pap Smear Screening Guidelines

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated its screening recommendations for cervical cancer. These guidelines fall in line with those from the major gynecologically-related professional organizations as well.

The highlights of these new recommendations are as follows:

• Women 21 to 65 years of age should be screened for cervical cancer.
• Pap smears should begin at, but not earlier than, age 21.
• Women ages 21 to 29 should be screened by Pap smear plus/minus high-risk subtype Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing every 3 years, if results remain normal. In my practice, I will routinely include HPV testing at the time of performing the Pap smear unless asked not to do so.
• Women ages 30 to 65 may choose to have a Pap smear plus HPV testing only every 5 years, if results remain normal.
• Women who have undergone hysterctomy for reasons other than high-grade cervical lesions or cervical cancer do not require routine cervical cancer screening.

NOTE: For women who routinely use their OB/GYN for well-woman screening, I strongly urge you to still complete an annual physical exam at my office. It is important to get regular check-ups for cardiovascular and other screening. For those who see their OB/GYNs essentially only for routine cervical cancer screening, feel free to simply have your pap smear included as part of your annual check-up in my office and save yourself an extra doctor's visit.

Thank you for continuing to rely on us for your primary care needs.

In Good Health,

James Criner, M.D.

www.DoctorCriner.com
770-813-9250

Guidelines Change for Prostate Cancer Screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has recently updated guidelines for prostate cancer screening, namely, now recommending against routine testing of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood, and essentially also eliminating the need for routine digital rectal examination for male patients of any age.

Based on the available data, at this time I agree with this recommendation due to the overwhelming over-diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancers that usually would not affect quality of life or longevity for most males while resulting in unnecessary and possibly harmful biopsies, surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

However, I still will base the screening decision on a case-by-case basis with my patients given other potential contributing factors. Also, I will perform the screening without hesitation if requested

NOTE: You will find differing recommendations from other organizations which make some valid arguments, however I would remind you that unlike most of those organizations, the USPSTF and AAFP have no potential financial interests in whether or not males are routinely screened.

I have included a link here to a short patient education handout from familydoctor.org for your review and to help stimulate any questions you may have. At the bottom of that handout you should find links to organziations offering differing opinions on the appropriateness of screening. Again, do not hesitate to request routine screening from my office if you desire it.

Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment for further discussion.

In Good Health,

James Criner, M.D.

www.DoctorCriner.com

770-813-9250