New guidelines for Pap tests in Alberta suggesting a visit once every three years may be deemed ideal, as going for a Pap test isn’t the highlight of most women’s year.
Pap tests look for abnormal cervical cells, which can be a sign of cervical cancer. Under these new guidelines, women do not have to undergo the test until they are over the age of 21 or three years after first sexual contact. Additionally, if a woman has had three consecutively normal tests, she only needs to have a Pap once every three years. These new guidelines will align Alberta with other Canadian provinces that don’t require annual pap testing.
Dr. Marlene Lidkea, a St. Albert physician, has mixed reviews of the new guidelines.
“I think the new guidelines were done for good reasons,” Lidkea said.
“The problem is most women, especially those who are at high risk, won’t remember when they had their last Pap test. Most women don’t remember exactly when they had theirs in the previous year, let alone asking them to remember to come every three years.”
She said another problem is testing every three years is fine, while testing every five years is not.
“If done perfectly, it could be very cost-effective, but another concern of mine is waiting until a patient is older than 21 is too long.”
Lidkea said many high risk patients have had their first sexual contact six to seven years before they were 21, so she will be recommending they come in within three years of the first contact.
“I also think STI testing after unprotected sex is important,” said Lidkea.
“It’s often better to be safe than sorry.”
The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health reports Chlamydia is the most prevalent STI reported among youth in Alberta. If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can lead to infertility. If you’re pregnant, it can lead to miscarriage or problems during delivery. In men, it causes unpleasant swelling of the prostate, and in severe causes, infertility.
Statistics Canada reports nearly 44 per cent of sexually active 20 to 24-year-olds reported having sex without a condom, significantly increasing their risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs, formerly known as STDs), which are not tested for when a Pap test is performed unless requested. With the later age requirement for Pap tests, women need to protect themselves when it comes to STIs.
Talia Kaufman, an educator with the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, said she think it’s really important for people to go for regular STI tests.
“Not all STIs have obvious symptoms, so people should also be getting tested every time they change sexual partners, when possible,” said Kaufman.
She said it’s a common misconception that Pap tests include an STI test, and while you can request them, they aren’t mutually inclusive tests. As well, someone that has had the Gardasil (for HPV) vaccine still requires regular Pap test. And if you’re a woman in a same-sex relationship, you still need to go for a Pap test.
“People need to know it has to do with skin to skin contact, not gender,” said Kaufman.
SAIT Health clinic declined requests for interviews.
