KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between cervical cancer tests
Member Center:
WASHINGTON. - New medical guidelines are calling for fewer Pap smears for most women in their 20s.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says having the tests every two years is enough to catch slow-growing cervical cancer in women under 30. Previous rules had called for annual testing.
The new guidelines also say that routine Pap screening should begin at age 21. Previously, ACOG had urged a first Pap either within three years of first sexual intercourse or at age 21.
Pap smears can spot pre-cancerous changes in the cervix in time to prevent invasive cancer. Widespread use has halved cervical cancer rates in the U.S. in recent decades.
The change comes amid a completely separate debate over when regular mammograms to detect breast cancer should begin. ACOG says the timing is a coincidence.
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
STEVENS COUNTY, Wash.- KHQ received several calls early Tuesday morning from viewers in the Loon Lake area who heard two large explosions in their neighborhood.
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane County Sheriff's office is investigating an armed robbery at the Village Centre Cinemas on N. Division.
BOISE, Idaho. - An Idaho legislator wants to get rid of words like "lunatic" and "retarded" from state laws, saying they're outdated and disrespectful.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti. - Five of the 10 Americans detained in Haiti on kidnapping charges left jail Monday to see a Haitian judge.
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in television history.
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. - A woman wanted for stealing a puppy from NW Seed and Pet on Saturday was charged with theft after turning herself into officers Sunday.
TOKYO. - News reports out of Japan say Toyota plans to recall about 300,000 Prius hybrids worldwide over a brake problem, but a spokesman for Toyota says no decision on a Prius recall has been made.
BOISE, Idaho. - For Idaho students who think high school lasts forever, two lawmakers want to pay them to speed up their education.
SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police are searching for a suspect after a local high school student reported being attacked while jogging in Riverfront Park Monday morning.
SPOKANE, Wash. - It's been one year since 42-year-old Suzette Werner was hit and killed by a vehicle in west central Spokane, and the crime still remains unsolved.
