Routine screening for women having Pap tests will change from two to three years in Manitoba.
CancerCare Manitoba says new research shows that screening too often offers little benefit and exposes women to harms and anxieties.
“Organized Pap testing has resulted in declines of up to 80% in deaths due to cervical cancer,” said Kim Templeton, manager of CervixCheck at CancerCare Manitoba.
“It is important to get screened regularly because cervical cancer in its early or precancerous stages often has no symptoms.”
According to CervixCheck, 30% of Manitoba women get tested too frequently and over 30% don’t get tested enough.
