pap smear

OK, stupid question, but I know you will be able to help. I had a total hyster in Nov 2004, cervix and all, so do I need a pap smear? I just got a reminder card from my surgeon that did my surgery, didn't know if it was an oversite that the office help sent out or if we do still need annual paps.

Thanks for your answers!

Susie

Susie,
I was six years post op in May of this year and I still continue to have pap smears annually. There is some recent controversy as to whether it's necesary, but I would rather err on the side of caution and go ahead and have it done.

My doctor shared with me that recent data says a woman who has had a hyst only needs a pap every 3 years. However, I'm not comfortable with that.....so I have her do a pap every year at my annual exam. I'd much rather err on the side of caution.

's

My gyn told me he was going to do one on me every year, and as long as the insurance pays for it, I'm going to have it done. Better to be safe than sorry!

Carol

Hello:

My understanding from reading and my surgeon is that a PAP
is of little use if you have had both cervix and uterus removed, as a PAP smear is to test for uterine and or cervical cancer/problems.
Therefore if cervix and uterus are absent test isn't going to give
any additional info beyond cervical/uterine issues. He did
say I should have an annual internal/vaginal exam as I did keep both ovaries, but the actual PAP test is not necessary.
As this makes sense to me, this is what Im doing. Obviously this decision is upto you and/or your physcian. Opinions can vary
so do what feels best for you.

Judith

i had a tah w/bso and cervix removal on 5-17 my dr. wants me in yearly for a pap for the slim chance of vaginal cancer. not common but he has seen it.

My gyn/oncologist told me I will have to have a Pap every six months for the next 5 years.

It can't be he needs to pay off his mortgage, because he told me to see the gyn I've been going to before the surgery.

I'm in the same class with johart7 on this - tah/bso (cervix removed). My doc said that I need an annual pap as well for vaginal cancer screening. She has seen it too. I figure it's a small price to pay for a heckuva lot of peace of mind.

I asked my surgeon about it (as I really dislike pap smears). She said that I would need to have one 6 months from now (just to make sure everything is ok). Then I could let it go to every 3 years because they needed to check the vaginal cuff for abnormalities.

I'm a TAH - everything gone!

I too asked my doc about this and he responded by saying that if anything came back in the pathololgy report/cervix that warranted further testing than he would recommend it because the abnormal cells may have descended in the vaganial walls but normally if the cervix was healthly then there was no need for further tests. I will be getting another opionion on this before I just quit having my yearly tests done though!