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. New guidelines also say that routine pap screenings should begin at age 21. Previous rules called for annual testing, and a first pap was urged either within three years of first sexual intercourse or age 21.
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.
