WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for March, 1997: Re: Paps post-hysterectomy?

Re: Paps post-hysterectomy?

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 26 Mar 1997 17:41:10 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Karen: "Paps post-hysterectomy?"

At Mon, 24 Mar 1997, Karen wrote: >
>Is it true that Pap smears are no longer necessary after a hysterectomy?
>Is age a factor? My mother, who is almost 70, recently revealed that she
>has not had a gyn exam in years. She was told that because she'd had a
>hysterectomy she didn't need Pap smears anymore.

Hi Karen, We recently had a long discussion on this very topic on the physician's list. You are welcome to access the archives. to give you a synopsis, however, will be faster for you.

Most people agree that if a hysterectomy was done for reasons other than abnormailities of the cervix, i.e. pre-cancers of the cervix, carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix or microinvasive cancer of the cervix, paps smears are *less necessary* than prior to hysterectomy. This means that more than one year may be able to be skipped for the "annual pap". How many years in between in not known for certain. The concerns brought up by some physicians are 1)there is a much less common but present possibility of a pre-cancerous or cancerous growth of the vagina, and 2)annual paps get the patients into the office where other problems can be diagnosed, i.e. breast lesions, abnormalities of the rectum, colon, thyroid abnormalities, hormone irregularities (menopausal symptoms), osteoporosis (diagnosis and treatment) and other problems too numerous to list, but I think you get the idea.

-- Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York Great Neck, New York

*Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purpose only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options.

Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: exocervicitis"
Previous message: Janet: "Uterine Prolapse"
In reply to: Karen: "Paps post-hysterectomy?"

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