1. < Women's Health

Pap Smears after age 65

Posted by cavlover @cavlover, Apr 8 7:32pm

Hi! I’m new to this group. I was just told that my last Pap smear was my last ever. I’m 68 and since I was anxious, my doctor did a pap. My sister in NY gets one annually and she’s 75.
I understand the risk is low, but there’s still a risk. So why not do preventative measures? I do for everything else. I even said I’d pay out of my pocket if it wasn’t covered. Just wondering.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Apr 10 6:55am
In reply to @marjou "I, too, was told that I no longer needed Pap tests and was thankful due to..." + (show)
@marjou

I, too, was told that I no longer needed Pap tests and was thankful due to vaginal dryness that made it so painful, but last year at age 68 noticed some slight bleeding and had to have one (uterus intact). No signs of cancer, but have been advised to have yearly pap.

Jump to this post

marjou,
You may want to address the vaginal dryness problem. I had it, too, and it caused UTi type pain. The uro-gynecologist prescribed estrogen cream and pelvic floor physical therapy. Worked.

REPLY
1 reply
gigipatula | @gigipatula | Apr 10 7:57am
In reply to @cavlover "I’m going to write him in my portal that I still want to get Pap smears...." + (show)
@cavlover

I’m going to write him in my portal that I still want to get Pap smears. If my doc will not do it, then I’ll find one who will. It’s a shame because I really like him.

Jump to this post

Yes, just get it done. I was told that Medicare does not pay for paps after 65 if you have never had an abnormal one or have never had cancer. Also I was told that Medicare NEVER covers a HPV test after 65. When I had the pap I also had the HPV test done and Medicare did deny it but, Labcorp never billed me for it either. When I saw how much Medicare paid my Gyn Dr. I felt ashamed it was almost nothing I think it was like 50.00.
The entire medical system is totally a mess but we have to work with it and be aware of why decisions are made both for our benefit and ones that are not for our benefit.

REPLY
marjou | @marjou | Apr 10 9:49am
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "marjou, You may want to address the vaginal dryness problem. I had it, too, and it..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

marjou,
You may want to address the vaginal dryness problem. I had it, too, and it caused UTi type pain. The uro-gynecologist prescribed estrogen cream and pelvic floor physical therapy. Worked.

Jump to this post

Due to a family history of breast cancer, that originally wasn’t an option. I readdressed the issue and comfort has been my priority so now use low estrogen.

REPLY
pb50 | @pb50 | Apr 10 3:25pm
In reply to @marjou "I, too, was told that I no longer needed Pap tests and was thankful due to..." + (show)
@marjou

I, too, was told that I no longer needed Pap tests and was thankful due to vaginal dryness that made it so painful, but last year at age 68 noticed some slight bleeding and had to have one (uterus intact). No signs of cancer, but have been advised to have yearly pap.

Jump to this post

In my opinion, Vaginal estrogen (I take 10 mg estradiol tablet inserts) in the best answer for the vaginal dryness/atrophy.

REPLY
pb50 | @pb50 | Apr 15 4:47pm
In reply to @cavlover "I’m going to write him in my portal that I still want to get Pap smears...." + (show)
@cavlover

I’m going to write him in my portal that I still want to get Pap smears. If my doc will not do it, then I’ll find one who will. It’s a shame because I really like him.

Jump to this post

You might mention that statistics mean nothing in the context of an individual. And that you would have better peace of mind if you had one at least every couple of years.

REPLY
1 reply
ladee | @ladee | Apr 16 6:42pm
In reply to @pb50 "You might mention that statistics mean nothing in the context of an individual. And that you..." + (show)
@pb50

You might mention that statistics mean nothing in the context of an individual. And that you would have better peace of mind if you had one at least every couple of years.

Jump to this post

I would get a pap! My first abnormal pap was at 70! I now have to have yearly until two normal paps.

REPLY
melhen | @melhen | Apr 17 6:59am

Yes just DO IT ! I was diagnosed with Endometrail (uterine) cancer at 68. Never an abnormal Pap smear until then.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.