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June 23, 2004
Dangerous Misinformation
This could not be more wrong.
If you're squeamish about what my mother politely calls 'female problems', don't click on the extended entry.
If you're a woman or care about one, read on.
This is just bullshit.
Nearly half of the 22 million American women who have had their cervix removed during a hysterectomy continue to get unnecessary Pap smears to test for cervical cancer, a study has found.
"This a problem because Pap smears are uncomfortable, and we don't want them for women who can't benefit," said Brenda E. Sirovich, who co-authored the study published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Bullshit. Pap smears, when done properly, are about as uncomfortable as getting your hair cut. (Ever have your stylist use a razor to thin your hair? Ye-ouch!) I found being diagnosed with cancer and having a partial hysterectomy when I was 26 a helluva lot more uncomfortable. That's right. At 26, a Pap smear saved my life.
For several years afterwards though, I didn't have one done. My doctors told me repeatedly that it wasn't necessary, and I believed them. Until one day, I visited the college's health clinic for an unrelated 'female problem', and the gyn doc asked me if I still had regular Pap smears done. No, I told her. Everyone tells me that they're not necessary.
She then told me about a patient she'd had, who had had a similar operation. Following standard protocol, subsequent Paps weren't performed. The patient's cancer returned, but because she wasn't being checked yearly, the cancer was too far advanced for treatment by the time it was discovered. The patient died.
She went on to say that the odds of something similar happening to women like me were very small, but she recommended the annual test to all her patients and it was up to me whether or not I was willing to take that chance.
I'm not. Although there have been times when I've almost had to bitchslap certain doctors to get them to perform it, I insist on having an annual Pap smear. And I highly recommend that you do the same, whether you have all your bits & pieces or not. Your life is more important than a $20 test.
And that so-called 'study' is a big pile of irresponsible bullshit.
Posted by Rita at June 23, 2004 08:40 AM
Comments
Ok, I don't know if I would equate a pap smear to getting your hair cut, but, yes, they are relatively painless when done properly. I've never had to get naked and lie on a cold table in a freezing cold room to get my hair cut.
Posted by: yayaempress at June 23, 2004 02:22 PM
Don't try it, it's no fun.
; )
Posted by: rita at June 23, 2004 02:27 PM
**I've never had to get naked and lie on a cold table in a freezing cold room to get my hair cut.**
You mean there's another way to do it?
Posted by: Craig at June 23, 2004 10:51 PM
I had two pap smears post-hysterectomy. Obviously, since that was in 1998, it's time to go back.
Thanks for reminding the nurse to take care of herself.
P.S. It took me up until just before my hysterectomy to find the doctor who made the exam - well, not exactly a pleasure - rather okay.
Posted by: Da Goddess at June 24, 2004 12:20 AM
You should get your bad self tested soon. Odds are you're fine, but why take a chance? Not nearly as uncomfortable as mammograms...which I am firmly convinced was invented by someone who had a boob phobia.
Posted by: rita at June 24, 2004 08:16 AM