COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Brand new guidelines were released regarding how often women should have cervical cancer screenings.
It means fewer Pap smears and it's a big change from what women and doctors are used to.
Previously, women had been encouraged to have annual Pap smears.
Now, the new guidelines call for routine Pap smears to begin at age 21.
Between the ages of 21 and 30, experts said it's safe for most healthy women to have them every two years and every three years after age 30 if they've had three consecutive negative screenings.
"The studies are now showing that if we space these out, we can still be cost effective and still pick up the paps prior to getting cervical cancer," said Dr. Stuart Jones, OB/GYN. "I, myself, have been practicing for 21 years and have only come across three cervical cancers in my own patient -- those not having been seen for seven or eight years."
In a controversial move on Monday, a government panel of experts said most women don't need mammograms until they are 50 years old. Now, the discussion is on fewer Pap smears.
The concern for Dr. Jones is that women will skip their annual check-ups and miss other critical health tests.
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