Annual exams still considered necessary?

My wife used to get annual pelvic/pap exams at the military clinics but she told me that when she went in last year to have her pap that the doctor said that she no longer needs to have one every year. He said that she can now have one every 3 years. This is in the US with in a military hospital. Has anyone else been told this by their doctor or gyno?

Yes, correct. I don't remember exactly what the new standards are (Google annual pap smear guideines) but pap smears are now only required every 3 years as long has there has not been an abnormal pap smear result in the past. obviously if there was a abnormal result in the past they will do them more often

Yes Boots2 the guidelines were changed.

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/guidelines.pdf

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/cervcancer/cervcancerrs.htm.

In the UK its been 3 years for some time.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/cervical-screening-test

Hope this clarifies things

It may be true, however I still get one every six months at my Ob/Gyn. Maybe he needs the money.

In my case, I have to have a PAP and a mammogram every year, and colonoscopy every three years, to remain eligible for transplant. They want to make sure that all the information is as current as possible should an organ become available. Not entirely necessary perhaps, but it is what it is.

One doc told me that paps only need to be every 3 years if you have a several year history of normal ones, but other parts of the exam, like breast exam, still should be done on a yearly basis

I am a firm believer in annual exams. I actually go every six (6) months because I am considered high risk since I had an aunt that had cervical cancer, my insurance covers me going twice a year so I take advantage of that. I think 3 years is too long. If a woman goes for an annual exam things can be caught early and treated. I think an annual exam including a Pap smear is one of the most important things that a woman can do for herself, and after 40 that includes getting a mammogram. My exams take between 20-30 mins twice a year and it is worth it for peace of mind as far as I am concerned.