Annual Pelvic Exam Not Needed for Women
The dreaded annual pelvic exam is not needed for women, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Except for pregnant women and those who have symptoms indicating problems, this exam may not be needed for most women, as there’s is no evidence to show that they’re accurate in identifying cancers of the pelvic organs, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids. The ACP reviewed studies on the benefits and harms of pelvic exams before making this recommendation.
One of the studies reviewed found that 1.5% of women who were screened for ovarian cancer ended up having needless surgery. Surveys also showed that some women tended to skip their annual wellness visit because they feared the pelvic exam. However, the ACP recommends that women continue with Pap tests for cervical cancer screenings every three years. More….
Category: News
