The simple fact is that, as emotive a topic as this is, the plural of anecdote is still not data - and the data suggests that the new guidelines for testing will have the same preventative effect.
Being an American living in the UK, I'm glad guidelines were changed for pap smears in the US, as evidence suggested that the annual tests were resulting in a large number of unnecessary and invasive procedures for transient cancer cell results. Until the data says otherwise, I think we should not get too wound up.
However I'm on board about the stupidity of no longer emphasizing self-exams. If nothing else there's no study or data to suggest that it has a negative impact, and self-awareness when it comes to your body is worth almost as much as any testing.
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The simple fact is that, as emotive a topic as this is, the plural of anecdote is still not data - and the data suggests that the new guidelines for testing will have the same preventative effect.
Being an American living in the UK, I'm glad guidelines were changed for pap smears in the US, as evidence suggested that the annual tests were resulting in a large number of unnecessary and invasive procedures for transient cancer cell results. Until the data says otherwise, I think we should not get too wound up.
However I'm on board about the stupidity of no longer emphasizing self-exams. If nothing else there's no study or data to suggest that it has a negative impact, and self-awareness when it comes to your body is worth almost as much as any testing.
November 29, 2009 - 12:15pmThis Comment
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