Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between Paps
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Rating
Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between Paps
Our Review Summary
Despite its brevity, this story about revised guidelines for cervical cancer screening does a few things well:
- It compares the new and old recommendations clearly.
- It puts the guidelines in the context of the much-debated cervical cancer vaccine. Most similar stories, including longer ones, failed to do this.
- It alludes to the study findings upon which the new recommendations are based.
Having said that, the story fails to include viewpoints from any independent experts. It also fails to discuss costs.
Essentially, the story distilled the revised guidelines on the readers’ behalf. This is necessary for such a story. But it is not sufficient.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
The story fails to indicate how much a Pap test costs, or whether the new guidelines would cost or save money.
Satisfactory
The story reports that half of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a Pap test, and another 10 percent hadn’t had one in five years. So it at least indirectly addressed benefit.
Satisfactory
The story reports that many cervical abnormalities discovered by screening "usually go away on their own, and unnecessary treatment increases girls’ risk of premature labor years later."
Not Satisfactory
The story does not describe the evidence upon which the guideline revisions are based. Its says only that ACOG "cited studies."
Satisfactory
The story does nothing to exaggerate the prevalence or severity of cervical cancer.
Not Satisfactory
The story essentially cites no sources other than the guidelines themselves.
An expert voice or two would have been useful to help people understand the meaning of the guidelines.
Satisfactory
The story clearly compares the revised screening guidelines with the most recent ones. It also cites the link between women not being screened and getting cervical cancer.
Not Applicable
The availability of Pap smear tests is not in question in this story.
Not Applicable
No claim is made for the novelty of Pap tests.
Satisfactory
The story does not draw from any of the press releases linked to these guidelines.
Total Score: 5 of 8 Satisfactory
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