Less frequent Pap tests advised

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Women do not need to be tested for cervical cancer every year, U.S. health experts say.

Up to now, it had been recommended sexually active women be given a Pap test each year to check for cervical cancer, but the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force and American Cancer Society now recommend testing every three years for women ages 21-65 years of age, Medscape Medical News reported.

Both guidelines recommended:

-- Instead of screening after becoming sexually active, women ages 21-29 are to be tested using conventional or liquid-based Pap testing.

-- Pap testing is recommended every three years for women age 30 and older, although the preferred strategy is Pap testing plus HPV testing every three to five years.

-- Women who had normal results on three Pap tests in a row, or if in the past 10 years there have not been any abnormal Pap tests and two or more HPV tests have been negative, testing can be stopped at 65 instead of age 70.

Both groups also recommended against testing for HPV alone -- which causes cervical cancer -- although it can provide additional useful information.

The two groups worked independently of each other to create the news guidelines, but they coordinated the release of their draft recommendations, American Cancer Society officials said.

The public has until Nov. 16 to comment on the proposed guidelines of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.