Dr. Morice and his staff like to keep their patients updated on current medical news, especially when it involves women’s health. This article serves to urge all of our patients to get regular Pap tests.
A study recently published in the medical journal of Gynecologic Oncology found an increased rate of cervical cancer in patients who have previously had tubal ligations
The increase is not caused by the ligation, however.Itappears to be caused by the propensity of patients who have had tubal ligations to not get regular Pap tests.According to researchers, having regular Pap tests is a risk factor for cervical cancer.
The objective of the study was to discover any relationships between various birth control methods and cervical cancer rates. The study’s participants were Oklahoma women who had a colposcopy after an irregular Pap test. The participants filled out a questionnaire to identify factors that may be associated with cancer. One of these questions was how often the women had Pap tests.
Participants in the study who had had tubal ligations were less likely to have had regular Pap tests.
Dr. Mathews, a fellow at the University of Oklahoma, discovered that, “in all age groups, women with tubal ligation were more likely to have had no Pap screening in the previous five years compared to women using other forms of contraception.”
Why do I need regular Pap tests?
Regular Pap tests are the best way to screen for signs of cervical cancer. A pap test checks for changes in your cervical cells, which may indicate unhealthy cells or cancer.
Often, unhealthy cells may be pre-cancerous. Immediate treatment of these unhealthy or abnormal cells prevents most types of cervical cancer from developing. As with most cancers, early detection is key to successful treatment.
How often do I need a Pap test?
Women younger than 30 years need to have a Pap test every 2 years.
Women older than 30 should also have a Pap test every 2 years. After 3 normal test results in a row, women older than 30 can have Pap tests every 3 years if she has no other cervical cancer risk factors. Discuss these with your doctor.
Do I need to keep having Pap tests if I’ve had a tubal ligation or a tubal reversal?
Yes. Regardless of if you’ve had a tubal ligation or tubal reversal surgery, you need to have regular Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.
Be sure to visit your doctor!
While doctor appointments are not always the most exciting appointment on your agenda, they are important to support your long-term health.
We encourage all of our tubal reversal patients to monitor and play an active role in their health and wellness. Contact Dr. Morice and our talented nurses if you have any questions at (985) 702-BABY.
