do i still need a pap smear if i have a hysterectomy?

Answer 1

Paps check for cervical cancer--not all hysterecomies take the cervix, so, it depends. Me, I had it ALL removed, so I don't need to get paps, per a couple of doc's not interested in generating additional income for unnecessary procedures. However, if there's a prob, discharge or something, an internal exam would be a smart thing to do.

Answer 2

Once there were hysterectomies that left the cervix in place, but that's been so long ago none of those people is probably still alive anyway. In general, no, you don't need a Pap smear (It's capitalized because it's named for Dr. Papanicolou), which screens for cervical cancer, but you do still need periodic exams to screen for other cancers in the area. Many women think of the Pap smear and the pelvic exam as the same thing, but the Pap smear is only a small part of the exam.

Answer 3

ABSOLUTELY! Even though you had a hysterectomy, you still need a pap test every year. Depending on the type of surgery you had, the common procedures remove your reproductive organs, and the pap test will determine if you have unusual cells for cervical cancer... therefore it is still very important to get your pap test every year...

Answer 4

Yes!!!! My mother-in-law had a hysterectomy 20 yrs ago and she still goes in every year for her pap smear!

Answer 5

Yes I had a total hysterectomy 16 years ago and still have to go every year, Cancer can still grow on the uterine walls.

Answer 6

Yes, you might still need them. Read this:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/AN00013

Answer 7

You can still get cancer even if you've had a hysterectomy. So, yes.

Answer 8

Yes. Only make sure the person that takes it knows, for there will not be cervix cells there.