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Pap Smears after age 65

Posted by cavlover @cavlover, Apr 8, 2024

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.

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Profile picture for irene5 Irene Estes
irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | 3 days ago
In reply to @gigipatula "Yes, just get it done. I was told that Medicare does not pay for paps after..." + (show)
Profile picture for gigipatula @gigipatula

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.

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@gigipatula There is a questionnaire your gynecologist will/should ask you. Based on your answers Medicare will cover the pap. This I know . Irene5

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | 3 days ago

I was told in my early 60's that I had no risk factors for cervical cancer and so I could stop Pap smears at age 65. I had never had a positive Pap smear but I did have other risk factors. Fortunately, I tested negative for HPV when I was about age 61.

The recommendations will change on this given that cervical cancer has gone way up in women over age 65. This is alarming. I'm now 73 years old and if I still had a cervix (I had a radical hysterectomy following an endometrial cancer diagnosis 6 years ago) I'd ask my gynecologist for that yearly Pap smear.

Here is an article from a professional source that provides this evidence.

JJ Cooley, et al. Cervical Cancer Stage at Diagnosis and Survival among Women ≥65 Years
in California. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &amp; Prevention: A Publication of the
American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of
Preventive Oncology 32 (1): 91–97.

Are we all willing to advocate for ourselves?

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ffr | @ffr | 3 days ago

Get the pap! I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer that had already spread to my cervix at 67.
Medicare should consider continuing coverage for Pap smears for life, as the incidence of such cancers (& deaths) are rising. I am convinced that my cancer would have been caught at an earlier stage had I not skipped the annual testing.

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donnaj50 | @donnaj50 | 3 days ago

I agree, get the pap. I am 75 and my gynecologist thinks it's important. It only costs about $100 and I gladly pay for it. Worth it for peace of mind.

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