Here's what Johns Hopkins has to say:

Years ago, women had a Pap smear at each annual visit, but today Pap smears have improved and we know cervical cancer takes many years to develop. Women should start Pap smear screening at age 21. Between the ages of 21-29, women whose Pap smears are normal only need it repeated every three years. Women ages 30 and over should have testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) with their Pap smear. HPV is the cause of cervical cancer. Women under age 30 are not tested for the virus because 80 percent of sexually active women will have this virus. Most women clear it once they are in their 30s. Once we confirm that the virus is not present, that patient can extend the duration between her Pap smears even further, to every five years (though she should still have an annual gynecological exam). In the event that we do detect precancerous cells on a woman’s cervix, or if she tests positive for HPV, she will need more frequent testing.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/signature_obgyn/patient_information/ask_expert/gynecology-q-a/how-often-do-I-need-a-pap-smear.html

I thought it had changed even before then. Pap smears every 3 years until age 30 and from 30 to 65 pap smears and HPV tests every 5 years. After age 65 they are no longed considered necessary unless you have a history of cervical cancer are HIV positive or have a few other medical conditions which would make it prudent to continue.

Pretty much the same for Mammograms. Don't need them too often and too early and don't need them after a certain age.

Of course it's still important for women to get an yearly checkup which includes covering OB/GYN issues.

Everyone should be treated as an individual according to their general health, underlying conditions, ability to know and monitor their own bodies etc. We tend to forget that especially with the pandemic on everyone's mind and the news hitting us in the face with gloom and doom every day.

One of the things I have noticed with the people I have known who had breast cancer. They were either too young to be eligible screening mammograms or they are too old. I have known some that were older than 45 but there were less in number than those in their mid twenties to about forty.

My doctor stopped doing OB/GYN checkups in my late 60's even though I have a history of polyps. I was told it was no longer advised for women my age.

Now if I could only convince my Dr. that I don't need another colonoscopy in 2 years!

Current US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations

Cervical Cancer https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/cervical-cancer-screening

I would agree this is not news. A woman's age, medical and sexual history all factor in according to my physician.

The colonoscopy comment is interesting. What is the rationale for prescribing them regularly? Do you have symptoms of bowel disease? Has routine bowel screening indicated there's something that needs checking?

floral, for me, the reason I have a colonoscopy every 2 years is my family history of colon cancer and the fact that they've found and removed at least two or 3 polyps in my colon every time. Matter of fact, I go to a specialist this Thursday for removal of a troublesome polyp that my regular colon doctor didn't want to tackle. Then I'll go again in 6 months. It's not fun, but you get used to the prep after while. My daughter will need to get her first colonoscopy by age 40 at the very latest, again due to family history.

edited to add: no symptoms at all, just family history. Oh, and my sibling who had only one or two polyps ever is on a five-year schedule due to family history. Most can go 10 years between screenings.

I see. I was just wondering if they were done routinely in the USA for some reason. They’re only done here if there’s an indication they’re needed. We get regular bowel cancer screening kits through the mail. But you'd only go on to a colonoscopy if something untoward showed up. Good luck on Thursday.

All these tests are voluntary, you can chose whether you have them or not. I've had drs suggest screening test but they never required or tried to coerce me into have something unnecessary.

Anne, my doctor told me every 3 years. I'd never had an abnormal pap in my life, or any other problems regarding that. A pap a few years ago showed abnormal cells that led to a colposcopy (not to be confused with colonoscopy). Those results led to a LEEP procedure that turned out okay, but he wanted to see me every 3 months. After a few of those I went every 6 months. I have what I hope is my last 6-month check next week. Then it will be yearly instead of every 3 years. Just shows getting checked even when you're older is probably a good idea.

Like Floral, we get poop kits given to us by our doctors for testing at home.

Chloe--I had abnormal pap and the LEEP in 2008. Everything has been good with my paps since then. I did have post menopausal bleeding in 2019 but had a biopsy and that was fine too. I think it was stress. It happened at a very difficult time in my life. Since I am going to a new doctor, I just was interested in what was new information to me although I understand that others were aware of the guideline changes. I always appreciate the feedback at KT and the opinions and the perspectives offered.

As Raye stated, the tests are voluntary although my PCP has pushed really hard for some tests since her practice integrated with a large hospital system two years ago. If it is a test I don’t see the need for, I will firmly decline. Ironically, she hasn’t seemed to care if I get a mammogram which is something I have been more interested in due to family history. I’m guessing it is dependent on how profitable the test is for the hospital system. I went for my annual mammogram last fall as I don’t need a doctors order. Diagnosed with invasive cancer. Now that I’ve seen breast cancer treatment, I realize that is also very profit driven.

Anne, I didn't know anyone else who's ever had a LEEP, so it kind of threw me. A colposcopy, yes, but nothing beyond that. Being checked as you get older is between you and the doc, but the (very unexpected) abnormal pap I had makes me think stopping exams completely isn't a good idea.

BTW, I was really nervous about both the C and L procedures, but neither were any big deal at all. As in your case, I'm hoping for clear sailing from now on. :-) My sister's doc told her she didn't need paps anymore. However, she's now getting them every few years after they found abnormal cells with me Better to be on the safe side.

After a certain age, I don't think pap tests are required. I had my last one a few years ago and I have never had an abnormal one in my life so I'm done with them. As for colonoscopies. I'm not bragging but I have never had one. I am so regular about doctor visits, mammograms, but this one scares me. I had one scheduled many years ago and then a snowstorm prevented it and I never rescheduled. I don't have a family history but I do do the"'poop kits".

Colonoscopies are not just for cancer screening as is believed by many but they can also find things like diverticulitis which is out pocketing of the large intestine. The out pockets can become infected leading to all kinds of health problems including sepsis. What is commonly called a mega-colon where part of the colon enlarges. Material can be caught in that area and may eventually build up enough to block the colon. There is also something called a leaky bowl that one of the women that was in my husband's water group had. The colonoscopy was done on a hunch to see if she had colon cancer when nothing else was found when she lost in my estimate over 100 pounds in a couple of months.

I have to admit when I found out that the suggested upper age with no previous problems was 75 when the doctor said it would be the last one I decided unless I have problems not to have it again.

I still get them every year and will continue to do so. It takes about 3 seconds, it's non-invasive and it's free so I don't see why not. I had some abnormal ones in my 20's but everything has been normal since. I'm very pro-active with my health though and I am fine with being cautious or over-testing as long as the risks/benefits are appropriate.

I tend to do as I am told. Pap smears are no big deal to me. I am 52, and on the relaxed schedule, never had a wonky result, though.

As for colonoscopies, they are the gold standard diagnosis tool for bowel cancer, which sadly killed my great grandfather and my mother, so no mailing it in for me.

Here in Australia, the new pap test is for women up to 74, every 5 years. Unlike the old test, which looked for actual cancer cells, this one tests for HPV, which is a precursor for cancer, so it can identify potential risk very early, which I suspect is why it doesn't need to be done as often. After 74, they're optional (but still subsidized).

Mammograms are every 2 years for women over 40 here in Aus. You get an invite from the state health department. They're free.

I had an irregular bowel kit test a few years ago, so my first colonoscopy a week later. Ugh. No cancer, but the doctor lassoed 4 polyps, one of them large. I was called back for a follow up colonoscopy 3 years later (two months ago) and he removed more polyps, this time all small. Apparently, this is a common side effect of aging. I'll get another call up in another 3 years (I'll be 74).