I never could understand why I would be admonished so severely for not getting pap smears. I couldn't understand why it was necessary, since I had a hysterectomy in 1968. So thanks for posting this. It confirms that I was right and not the doctors (again!).
But I do still have my ovaries. That doesn't make a difference, does it?
No
Ovarian cancer has nothing to do with cervical cancer. As long as you had a total hysterectomy which includes the cervix, according to the article these guidelines have been in effect since 1988. Tell your doc you want free pelvic exams if your getting annual physical exams. Just hold that Pap test.
If the ovaries are left behind...a manual pelvic exam should be done...as ovarian cancer can occur and is difficult to detect in early stages. As a non-gyn, I try to convince my patients that if they need a hysterectomy, they should have the ovaries removed, as in all liklihood, the only thing they will accomplish in the future is bad for their health. The hormones the ovaries produce can be replaced for the necessary duration to treat the menopausal symptoms that will occur after removing functional ovaries.....of course the feminist patients retort that they will have that done as soon as their doctor has his testicles removed!!! But testicular cancer is much rarer and easier to detect - and generally less deadly! There are no easy definitive answers in medicine - that is why it is still an art as well as a science.
But I do still have my ovaries. That doesn't make a difference, does it?
The Pap does not detect diseases for the ovaries-it's strictly for the cervix.