A government group is releasing new guidelines for cervical cancer screening. Under the new recommendations, many women will be tested less often.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says women ages 21 to 65 only need to have a pap test every three years. Doctors say over screening is leading to unnecessary procedures, which can increase pregnancy complications. The task force also says low risk women 30 and over can be tested every five years if they get an HPV test at the same time.
Doctors say the new recommendations for less screening do not mean women should skip their regular, annual checkups. The American Cancer Society and other health groups released similar recommendations Wednesday.
