What is the national policy about the need for smears after a hysterectomy?
Most women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) do not need to continue having Pap smears. If the woman does not know her Pap smear history and/or the histology from the hysterectomy, then one vaginal vault smear is recommended. If this is normal, then no further smears are required. Women who have had a sub-total hysterectomy (ie the cervix has not been removed) should continue to be screened at the recommended two-yearly interval. Continued screening is advised post-hysterectomy for: – women with a past history of CIN – women who have been treated for invasive gynaecological malignancy – women who have been treated for vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia – women who are severely immunosuppressed as a result of disease or therapy – women who were exposed to DES (diethylstilboestrol) in utero.
