title: Use of the Papanicolaou test in women under 25 years of age in Southern Alberta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The introduction of the Papanicolaou (Pap) test in Canada has led to a decline in both the incidence of, and mortality from, cervical cancer. However, cervical cancer in women under the age of 25 is rare, and the updated Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommendations advise against screening by Pap test in this age group. Screening under the age of 25 can lead to false-positive results or to treatment of lesions that may spontaneously regress. The purpose of this observational study was to determine how many Pap tests are performed in women less than 25 years of age despite current guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the Laboratory Information System of Calgary Laboratory Services for women under and over the age of 25 who underwent Pap testing between September and December 2012 and between February and May 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 4% of women aged 15 to 19 and 33% of women aged 20 to 24 had Pap tests after the new guidelines were released.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women under the age of 25 continue to undergo unnecessary screening for cervical cancer. This excessive screening may cause physical and psychological harm and may result in unnecessary health care expenditures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal QC.
authors.forename: Rayven
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Snodgrass
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary AB.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naugler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000416:Alberta; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Pap test; Papanicolaou test; cervical cancer; screening