However, final guidelines recently published on cervical cancer screening by the USPSTF are being met with general agreement according to recommendations also just made by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Both the task force and the collaborative groups reviewed scientific literature and came to similar conclusions, that women should reduce the number of tests that they receive over their lifetime.

Cervical cancer used to be one of the most deadliest cancers. Decades ago, it killed more women each year than breast or lung cancer but there have been vast improvements in recent decades due to improved screening, treatment and prevention tools including a vaccine to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus which causes cervical cancer. In 2009, about 4,000 women died of cervical cancer, the vast majority of whom had never been screened within 10 years of their diagnosis.

The USPSTF’s revised guidelines say women, on average, should undergo cervical cancer screening no more than once every three years. Specifically, they call for Pap tests every three years for women ages 30 to 65. Women who add testing for HPV can lengthen the interval to once every five years. The USPSTF recommends against cervical cancer screenings in women younger than 21 or older than 65. They also recommend that women under age 21 should not be tested.

There are slight differences in the sets of recommendations, but you should talk with your health care provider about when you and family members should start screening. Pap screening, coupled with other preventive measures, can save lives!

This traveling troupe of professional health educators volunteer to perform a 45-minute, live show featuring skits and song and dance routines set to popular music with new educational lyrics. The Cancer Queens have had little training other than singing in the shower and watching themselves dance in the mirror at home.

The “edutainment” group is on a mission to inspire women to treat themselves like queens and take care of their health. Mattie Bates, a breast cancer survivor and Cancer Queen, said that the group tries to empower women to take care of themselves against cancer.

Audience members have approached me after performances to discuss their diet and exercise routine as well as telling me they were definitely going to make appointments to get their mammogram and Pap test.

We have had many people write on their evaluations that they wish all women could see our show to hear our message.

With Prevent Cancer Foundation’s grant-funded support, Cancer Queens has been able to travel to rural communities across Middle Tennessee to encourage women to get their screenings as well as live healthier lives.

Cancer Queens is part of the Nashville, Tenn. based Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, which is a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center and is part of National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Learn more about Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s Cancer Queens.