Are PAP smears still recommended? If you answered no read on:

There has been a lot of publicity today about the new recommendation of the American College of Physicians that pelvic exams are probably unnecessary in healthy females.

Does that mean you don't need to get a PAP smear?

NO! The study actually stated that the INTERNAL EXAM was probably unnecessary; BUT THE PAP SMEAR YEARLY WAS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER!

Most people I spoke to did not separate these two procedures. Sexually active females should get examined yearly for cervical cancer, and generally for sexually transmitted diseases. There is a lot of controversy generated about internal bimanual exams, but NOT the PAP smear!