“I personally know a young woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer. A lack of financial resources, insurance coverage, and a fear of outrageous medical bills were to blame for her missing her Pap tests. If she had known that the ACA covers cancer screenings (the Pap), that horrible disease could have been caught earlier on. Nobody wants to go through surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy.
It’s critical that routine Pap testing be included with routine exams. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women should start Pap testing at age 21. Between the ages of 21-65, women whose Pap tests are normal only need it repeated every 3 years. Women should also have testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV, one of the main causes of cervical cancer) with their Pap. In the event that any pre-cancerous or abnormalities are found, women will need more frequent testing.”
