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The Curious Bag
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Women who have had hysterectomies might still need to get pap tests. Medical experts say the need for the cancer-detecting test depends on the type of hysterectomy and the reason for it.
Types
There are two types of hysterectomies: total, in which the uterus and the cervix are removed, and partial, in which the cervix is not removed.
Function
A pap test detects cancer of the cervix. Women who have had their cervix removed should still have the test if the hysterectomy was used to treat cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Partial Hysterectomy
Women who have had partial hysterectomies still need to get pap tests since they could still get cervical cancer, says Dr. Sandhya Pruthi of the Mayo Clinic.
Limitations
The American Cancer Society says women 70 years or older can stop having pap tests if their last three tests were normal and there were no abnormal tests in the last 10 years. Women with a history of cervical cancer should still continue to get the tests.
Other Exams
Dr. Pruthi says women who don't need pap tests any longer should still get regular pelvic exams.
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