Pap smears are used to detect cancer or abnormal cells on the cervix and are recommended every three years for women age 18 - 64.Unfortunately, according to a recent report from the Agency for Health Research and Quality, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 14 percent of American women age 18-64 have not had a Pap smear in the past three years. Asian women were least likely to have received a Pap smear in the past three years.
Insured status also plays a role. Women without healthcare insurance were much more likely to not have had a Pap smear in the past three years; 25 percent of this group had not been screened versus 11 percent of women covered by private insurance and 15 percent of those on some form of public insurance.
Women who were less educated were also less likely to have had a Pap smear in the past three years as were single women when compared to their married counterparts.
There are so many cancers that are difficult to detect in the early stages and for which no widespread screening programs exist. These cancers are often discovered in the late-stage, when there is no cure. In contrast, Pap smear screening reduces both the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer and is simple and relatively inexpensive. Hopefully, as our country continues to grapple with our healthcare access crisis, we can find a way to for more women to get screened for this preventable cancer.
