I'm about to get a little bit personal here. I called today to make an appointment at Student Health for my physical. For those who don't know, this physical usually involves a "pap" test. All women do it, or at least they should.
Back to my story, so in November of 2009 the American Congress of OBGYNs (ACOG) amended it's guidelines. Here's what they say: "ACOG now recommends that women from ages 21 to 30 be screened every two years instead of annually, using either the standard Pap or liquid-based cytology." (http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr11-20-09.cfm).
This issue was definitely making the news back when the press release came out. Naturally, when I called Student Health today I inquired: "I was just wondering, since they changed the guidelines for the Pap test, if I still need to have one this year?" Well, wouldn't you know... I bet I was the FIRST person to ask about this. "Um, hm...well, you're going to have to talk to a nurse about that, I'll transfer you."
I asked again. Nurse: "Hm..well, I'm going to need to ask some of the people I work for. Hang on a sec."
After some survey taking, I assume, Nurse was back with an answer: "Well, they say there's some talk about changing the recommendations, but nothing has actually been changed yet. So, we are still doing yearly Pap tests as usual. I would make the appointment."
Really? I seriously can NOT believe that they had no idea about the current recommendations from the ACOG. I probably don't need to point it out, but this disturbs me A LOT. I went ahead and made the appointment (I need a refill script), but I plan on printing off the info from the ACOG website, bringing it to the Dr and suggesting they have a little office "chat" about it.
On a lighter note, when I finally got down to business with scheduling, the receptionist said this: "Um, your last appointment was November 11, 2009...so, you're not actually due for another five months." Yes, I did call this morning.
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