here we are, at your cervix.

So, this article in the NYTimes talks about a new DNA test that could make Pap smears a thing of the past. It still requires a cervical scraping, but the sample is mixed w/various agents and read by a machine. Basically, it picks up HPV, the high-risk ones that are more likely to cause cervical cancer. People are saying this could mean a switch to getting Paps ever 3, 5, even 10 years. But what about those medical anomalies? What about those women whose Paps never show HPV but end up having cancerous conditions? I have mixed feelings about this. I don't think this is a substitute for Paps, but possibly an added test. I know it might not be cost-effective, but I'm just not sure if women are ready to feel comfortable NOT getting Paps every year. I wouldn't want to go every 3 or 5 years. Better to be safe than sorry, in my opinion.