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Annual Pap Smears May Be Thing of the Past

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced its new cervical cancer screening recommendations today, stating that annual pap smears may no longer be necessary.

The group recommended that women start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 21, instead of age 18 which has been the protocol for a number of years.  They also said that women could wait longer between screenings, regardless of the young woman’s sexual activity.

Women in their 20’s can now wait two years between screenings, and women in their 30’s can wait three years according to the new guidelines — provided that they have had a normal pap smear.

There has been a public uproar for several weeks over revised screening recommendations for mammograms.  Some have even challenged that the change in recommendations was tied to the current U.S. healthcare reform debate. It remains to be seen how this new announcement will be received.

“This is not a radical change in screening practices.  This is something that has been coming gradually since the 1980’s,” said Dr. Alan G. Waxman, who helped write the new guidelines.

Some doctors are particularly concerned about college-age women who are sexually active.  Dr. John Curtin of The Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City said that 70 percent of all sexually active college women have contracted the HPV infections which will show up as an abnormal pap smear.

Fox News interviewed physicians this morning analyzing whether the guidelines should be part of government regulations and the expectation that women will see insurance companies increase denials of routine pap tests.

All women are encouraged to review their female health screening routine with their personal physicians, also discussing your family’s history.  Many doctors are fearful that women will neglect preventative screenings.

         

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Exercise Found To Be Beneficial During Pregnancy

Studies have found that an approved exercise program is beneficial for mother and baby during pregnancy.

Dr. Raul Artal, from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine said “We know that women who exercise during pregnancy have less chance of developing certain conditions like gestational diabetes,”

“Not only that, exercise maintains musculoskeletal fitness. Women can cope with the anatomical and physiological changes of pregnancy better when they’re in good shape. They also tolerate labor better and recover more quickly from delivery.”

“Women should be encouraged to continue living an active lifestyle.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that women aim to do at least half an hour of moderate exercise every day during pregnancy.

They reminded expectant mothers to consult with a doctor before starting any exercise program.

Benefits include lower fetal heart rates

Family practitioner, Dr. Thomas Wang in San Diego said “A lot of things depend on the level of fitness they had before,”

Certain activities should be avoided during pregnancy, such as scuba diving, skiing, horseback riding, gymnastics, and high impact sports. Weights should not be lifted above their heads, and there should be no strain to the lower back.

Pregnant women should avoid lying flat on their backs during the second and third trimesters, as this reduces the blood circulation to the fetus.

“Anything that involves impact or the chance of abdominal trauma, they should try to avoid,” Wang commented.

Approved exercises include Kegels, yoga, light dancing, swimming, walking, cycling and aerobics, as long as the woman takes care not to fall.

It is important that when exercising during pregnancy, avoid breathlessness or exhaustion. This may reduce the amount of oxygen the fetus receives.

Also, avoid exercising during hot weather or overheating, as this may affect the development of the baby.