It is sad to see that cervical cancer screening by a test as simple as a pap smear is still not widely utilized by the American women. The duty is upon us health care providers to spread awareness and make the test easily accessible to women in above the age of 21.
ACOG released a statement this month stating that, “It is disappointing that millions of American women – more than 11 percent – have not been screened for cervical cancer in the last five years. Data have demonstrated that widespread cervical cancer screening leads to a reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In fact, most cervical cancer occurs in women who have never been screened or who have been inadequately screened.
“The impact of cervical cancer screening on women’s health is dramatic. Widespread screening has decreased the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States by more than 50% in the past 30 years. In 1975, the rate was 14.8 per 100,000 women. By 2008, it had been reduced to 6.6 per 100,000 women. Mortality from the disease has undergone a similar decrease, from 5.55 per 100,000 women in 1975 to 2.38 per 100,000 women in 2008”, as per data from ACOG.
A well woman visit includes a pap smear, STD testing and counseling, contraception counseling and prescriptions. This is covered without co-pay by most insurances. For women who do not have insurance, at Expert GYN we have highly affordable fee schedule to facilitate women practice preventative care.
Betty Krechmer, PA-C
Expert GYN