Is This Standard Now With Pap Smears

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 1, 2005

I thought they were done together as well, along with a pelvic.

(That assistant-lacking-a-nametag thing disturbs me. The way i see it, if i'm the pt, i want to see a phote ID nametag identifying yourself.)

allnurses Guide · Apr 1, 2005

I just had my pap/pelvic last week and a breast exam was included in the package.

They should also get a good look at your skin checking for mole changes, cancer risk, etc.

steph

FROGGYLEGS, LPN · Apr 1, 2005

I've never been given any option about the breast exam. It's always been a packaged deal. The only change I've seen was the addition of a rectal exam last time I went. I thought they were doing that routinely now as well. :uhoh3:

KrisRNwannabe · Apr 1, 2005

same here, always been a package deal. I would check with the doctor, maybe the assisstant was new and didn't understand.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 1, 2005

I could live without the rectal exam.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2005

I too just had a pap/rectal/breast exam last week. My doctor is pretty thorough and does all three (but he did ask me one year in advance if it was oaky if he did the rectal). I think that the breast exam is important. My doctor found a lump in my axilla and sent me for a mammogram/ultrasound. Thanfully they were negative, but he still seems concerned, so he is following up in three months and will biopsy if the lump has not gone away. I would not have found it on my own- I can barely feel it now and I know it is there! Hopefully, everything will turn out fine and a little bit of worry is better than not catching something until it is too late. I would request a breast exam if the doctor did not initiate on his own (especially if you do not do or are not confident in your own checks!!)

SharonH, RN · Apr 1, 2005

Below is a summary of recommendations by varying organizations regarding clinical breast exam(CBE):

American Academy of Family Physicians: Every 1 to 2 years for ages 50 to 69; counsel women ages 40 to 49 about potential risks and benefits of mammography and clinical breast examination.

American College of Obstretricians and Gynecologists: Yearly (or as appropriate) general health evaluation that includes examination to detect signs of premalignant or malignant conditions

American Cancer Society: Every 3 years, ages 20 to 39; yearly after age 40; monthly breast self-examination beginning at age 20

United States Preventive Services Task Force: Insufficient evidence to recommend for or against using clinical breast examination alone; optional every 1 to 2 years, ages 50 to 69

So as you can see everyone has a different recommendation ranging from yearly to none. In other words there is no "standard" for clinical breast exam.

mariedoreen · Apr 2, 2005

I could live without the rectal exam.

But for how long?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2005

I think it should be done every year, Period!!!! My sister died of breast cancer in 1999 and I dont leave the exam room without the full feel up........

allnurses Guide · Apr 2, 2005

But for how long?

Very good point.

I forgot - along with the pap, pelvic and breast exam there was also the rectal exam. No big deal - took about 3 seconds.

steph

NurseFirst · Apr 2, 2005

I had a pap -it had been three years since my last one--and could anyone tell me if this now the norm in exams.
When I was rooming in, the assistant (no name tag) asked if I was here for a pap AND breast exam as well.
Only a pap was done. Are you supposed to request both be done? I thought both pap and breast exams were always done together.
This family practice MD is really a good doctor, very smart, caring, has delivered babies in the past. I have been pleased with him in everything but is something new or not. Does this have something to do with the time constraints of patient care and needs to be requested separately? They were behind schedule and seemed rushed that day.

According to my gyn, unless you are sexually active, paps only need to be done every 3 years. Apparently it is less common to find cervical cancer in celibate/monogamous--there apparently is some connection with a virus, possibly the herpes virus, but I'm not sure on which virus, for sure.

NurseFirst