OB GYN News articles from January 2004

OB GYN News archives from January 2004

AMA pursues tort reform strategy: specialty-specific approach still an option.(News)
January 1, 2004... HONOLULU -- In the complicated calculus that governs membership in professional societies, winning--whether the win is in state houses or on Capitol Hill--is the only thing. Medicare reform counts as a big win on the scoreboard for the...

Assay helps gauge long-term risk of breast Ca return: slated for marketing early this year: test may enable doctors to reserve chemo for patients with a high risk of recurrence.(News)
January 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- The ability to predict long-term likelihood of breast cancer recurrence in node-negative patients is markedly enhanced by the use of a novel multigene assay, Dr. Soonmyung Paik declared at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by...

Fetal risk from chemo highest in first trimester: data on 619 cases: congenital malformations seen in 19.1%.(News)
January 1, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Chemotherapy during pregnancy may not lead to an elevated rate of fetal malformations if it is given after the first trimester, according to a report on the first 619 cases entered into the federal Registry of Pregnancies Exposed...

FDA approves once-weekly combination HT patch: first menopausal TX with levonorgestrel.(News)
January 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Climara Pro transdermal patch--the first once-a-week, combined hormone therapy for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. "Patients appreciate the convenience of a...

Combined injections tried for incontinence: collagen plus durasphere.(News)
January 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Women who received injections of both collagen and Durasphere to treat stress urinary incontinence caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency had better outcomes at 2 weeks than did those who received collagen alone, but that...

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy often adversely affects sexuality: 'didn't feel like my own'.(News)
January 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Long-term satisfaction with the decision to undergo bilateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction is frequently diminished by unanticipated changes in body image and the sexual relationship, Paula J.C....

BRCA mutation testing warranted in women with bilateral breast cancer, regardless of family history: 25% have deleterious mutation.(News)
January 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Women with bilateral invasive breast cancer have a high prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations regardless of whether they possess a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, Alicia A. Parlanti reported at a breast...

It's not so nice to share.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Lawyer C. Mitchell Goldman said that once a lawsuit is Filed, the legal defense may be more difficult to pursue ("Malpractice Insurers Focusing on Risk Management," Oct. 1, 2003, p. 25). If physicians report incidents early, he said, they...

Talk back online.(Opinion)
January 1, 2004... Do you support the law banning partial-birth abortion? (Dec. 1, 2003, p.5) NO 29% YES 71% To Talk Back, visit www.eobynnews.com Note: Table made from pie chart.

A long and biased road.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... I felt obligated to respond to Dr. Robert W. Rebar's guest editorial ("Our Relationship with Industry," Nov. 15, 2003, p. 6). People deplore that physicians receive pens and paper, lest we be influenced, but what about the legal...

'A repugnant procedure'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... I am dismayed that so many physicians who pride themselves on rational thinking and evidence-based medicine have allowed political correctness to affect their stand on an issue such as partial-birth abortion ("Bush Signs Partial-Birth Abortion...

Pain relievers.(Opinion)
January 1, 2004... "Thanks for the prescription,... is this your signature or part of my EKG?."

Simplifying the payment system.(Guest Editorial)
January 1, 2004... The administrative complexity of the current payment system is a lose-lose proposition for all of its participants. It's costly, duplicative, and it needs to be simplified. Multiple credentialing, multiple clinical guidelines, multiple...

Isolated CPCs do not impede development: in the absence of other abnormal findings.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- In the absence of genetic abnormalities or malformations, choroid plexus cysts identified on midtrimester ultrasound examinations are not associated with neurocognitive delays in early childhood, Dr. Francois R Bernier reported...

Obesity may raise risk for infant hydrocephaly: preliminary analysis.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Maternal obesity may increase the risk for infant hydrocephaly, D. Kim Waller, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. This preliminary finding is among several that were generated...

If second twin is breech, vaginal delivery still safe: study of 107 vertex-nonvertex twins.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- Vaginal delivery when a first twin is vertex and a second is nonvertex is a safe alternative to cesarean section, according to a study presented at the HGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. "There is...

Maternal asthma may cut growth in female fetuses: immune system effects.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... Female fetuses may adversely affect maternal asthma, which could result in impaired placental function and reduced fetal growth, Australian investigators reported. A fetal sex-specific effect on the maternal immune system was observed in a...

Congenital defects tied to arrhythmia in pregnancy: prior surgical repair won't protect.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Prior surgical repair of congenital heart defects doesn't protect against the subsequent occurrence of symptomatic arrhythmias in pregnancy, Dr. Koichiro Niwa reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart...

Congenital heart defects linked to rise in small for gestational age infants: study of almost 5,000 infants.(Obstetrics)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Infants with congenital heart defects are more likely to be small for gestational age than those born with a normal heart, Dr. Sadia Ghaffar said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. They...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.(Drugs, Pregnancy, And Lactation)
January 1, 2004... Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs epitomize the well-known characterization of drugs as double edged swords, as they have both beneficial and harmful edges. During pregnancy, the harmful edge primarily relates to embryonic/fetal toxicities...

PCOS, autoimmune thyroiditis link studied: thyroiditis risk up threefold.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... PALM BEACH, FLA. -- There is a high prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, according to a prospective study presented at the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. The study showed a...

Study identifies risk factors for ciprofloxacin-resistant UTIs: recurrent UTI, fluoroquinolone use.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Avoid empiric ciprofloxacin for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in patients with a history of recent exposure to fluoroquinolones or recurrent urinary tract infections, B. Joseph Guglielmo, Pharm.D., urged at the annual...

Condom use low, even among herpes patients: national survey.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- A new national survey shows condom use among sexually active adults is notably low, even among those with known genital herpes or other sexually transmitted diseases. Clearly, the public has not heeded the message put forth by...

Robotic-assisted surgery spreads to gynecology: hysterectomy, myomectomy, tubal ligation.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- A robotic surgical system may be capable of helping surgeons remove complex gynecologic pathology in a minimally invasive fashion, speakers said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Three...

Less bleeding seen with laparoscopic approach: early cervical Ca.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- A total laparoscopic approach to radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with early cervical cancer reduced intraoperative bleeding and recovery times but took significantly longer to perform than abdominal...

Expert offers tips on performing transvaginal hysterectomy: how to select patients.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Data continue to show that the transvaginal approach to hysterectomy can be safely performed in selected patients, including those with a large uterus, Dr. Octacilio Figueiredo Netto reported during the 13th International Pelvic...

Several techniques preserve fertility in Ca patients: lack of awareness.(Gynecology)
January 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Although there are options for preserving fertility in cancer patients, lack of awareness among patients and oncologists too often results in unnecessary sterilization, Dr. Togas Tulandi said at the annual meeting of the American...

Medicare law includes health savings accounts: tax shelter or access provider?(Practice Trends)
January 1, 2004... Whether the new health savings accounts included in the giant Medicare reform law are a good idea depends on whom you talk to. If employers start offering the accounts, "it will segment the risks because the young, healthy people will take...

More vigilance over copay collections urged: expert suggests payment rules.(Practice Trends)
January 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Physicians need to get tough about collecting what's owed them, Michael Fleischman said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "Patients may think you're the greatest thing since the public...

Medicare chief resigns.(Policy & Practice)
January 1, 2004... Tom Scully, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, resigned last month after 3 years at the agency. Mr. Scully was credited with instituting quality initiatives for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries receiving home health...

Abortion ban court date.(Policy & Practice)
January 1, 2004... The latest legal chapter in the fight over the "partial-birth abortion" ban will begin on March 29, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. That's the date when a Nebraska federal court is scheduled to hear arguments from the U.S....

All in the family.(Policy & Practice)
January 1, 2004... The use of family members as gamete donors and surrogates is ethical and beneficial most of the time, but should not occur in certain cases, according to a report from the Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. For...

Wrong site surgery.(Policy & Practice)
January 1, 2004... The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and other medical societies are asking doctors to use JCAHO's procedures for preventing wrong-site, wrong...

Rising debt.(Policy & Practice)
January 1, 2004... It's getting more expensive to become a doctor. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the average educational debt of medical school graduates of the class of 2003--including premed borrowing--was $109,457, up 5.4% from last...

CDC: new guidelines for controlling SARS: scenarios with and without transmission.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... Until severe acute respiratory syndrome pops up again, it should be considered as a diagnosis only for patients hospitalized for pneumonia who also raise epidemiologic suspicions, according to new clinical guidelines released by the Centers for...

Fatigue.(Women's Health Adviser)
January 1, 2004... Fatigue is a common health complaint; the challenge is in identifying the source. Fatigue comes from a combination of physical and emotional causes. Fatigue is generally described as a lack of energy. This is not the same as sleepiness,...

Fish consumption may slow increase in stenosis: women with coronary artery disease.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Fish consumption, especially of tuna and other dark-meat fish, is associated with significantly decreased angiographic progression of coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women, Arja T. Erkkila, Ph.D., reported at the...

Silent MI found in 17% of postmenopausal women: are routine ECG exams needed?(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- More than 17% of postmenopausal women have a moderate or high likelihood of having silent myocardial infarction, based on findings from more than 60,000 women who participated in the Women's Health Initiative. This high...

Three-question screening tools detect migraines: high overall sensitivity, specificity.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Busy clinicians now have at least two simple, three-question screening tools for migraine headaches. One screening survey, recently given to 3,014 patients with migraine headaches, had an overall sensitivity of 77% for...

Lack of sleep closely linked with depression: over 7 days per month.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Americans average more than 7 days a month of inadequate sleep, Daniel R Chapman, Ph.D., reported in a poster presentation at the American Psychiatric Association's Institute on Psychiatric Services. Lack of sleep was more...

Intensive counseling recommended for the obese: U.S. preventive services task force.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... A new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force may help physicians help their patients tackle obesity. The task force now recommends that physicians screen their adult patients for obesity and offer intensive counseling,...

Obesity, overweight are risk factors for acute deep vein thrombosis. registry data on 4,439 patients.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Look for a steady rise in cases of deep vein thrombosis as among the likely fallout from the burgeoning obesity epidemic. Overweight and obesity were the most common comorbidities identified in 4,439 patients with...

Meal replacements help maintain weight loss: 10-year data.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Long-term use of a premeasured meal-replacement plan appears to be an effective tool for weight-loss maintenance, Dr. George L. Blackburn reported in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the North American...

Ornish program racks up big heart risk reductions: various socioeconomic populations studied.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- The Ornish program of cardiovascular risk reduction through aggressive lifestyle modification has now been shown to translate well from anything-goes California to the hills of West Virginia and cornfields of Nebraska. ...

Many doctors unaware of CAM use in arthritis: ask about it.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... BALTIMORE -- More than half of patients with arthritis report using complementary and alternative medicines, according to results of a cross-sectional study presented at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society. In the survey...

FDA panel rejects expanded label for aspirin: some support for nonfatal MI indication.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- A federal advisory panel voted against expanding aspirin's indications to include primary prevention of myocardial infarction. In an 11-3 vote, the Food and Drug Administration's Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory...

Weather does aggravate joint symptoms: folklore confirmed.(Clinical Rounds)
January 1, 2004... BERLIN -- The old bit of folk wisdom that patients with arthritis can predict weather changes by the aches and pains in their joints may be legitimate after all. A study of 147 patients showed that substantial changes in pain and...

Protects against needlesticks.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The SurGuard2 is a needle safety device with a locking mechanism to help prevent needlestick injuries. Available as a safety needle only or as a syringe with safety needle. For more information, contact Terumo Medical Corp., 800-283-7866,...

Pathogen-free water.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The Purefecta water filtration system removes pathogens from drinking water. People with compromised immune systems, as well as infants, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly, are at greater risk of infection from contaminated water....

Incontinence online forum.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The Bladder Control Forum is an online resource where those patients affected by incontinence can share information and help educate the public. Launched by the National Association for Continence, the Web site was provided by Ortho-McNeil...

Hysteroscopy simulator.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The beta Accu Touch hysteroscopy simulator incorporates training with a hysteroscope while also simulating a specific procedure. The simulator comes complete with two modules involving hysteroscopy and myomectomy. For more information, contact...

Maternity/nursing pillow.(Products)
January 1, 2004... Pregnant women can use the Big V Pillow, particularly during the last trimester, to support the body while sleeping. Nursing mothers also can use the pillow to support their infants while breast-feeding. The suggested retail price is $59.99....

New exam lamp.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The Solo Spot Exam Light provides up to 6,000 foot-candles of illumination in a 3.25-inch-diameter spot pattern at 15 inches. The 35-watt halogen fight is available as a c-clamp/table or universal mount model or a 36-inch-high floor lamp model....

Adjustable medical cart.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The POC cart can house a full-size personal computer. It can also be adjusted from 29.25 inches to 39.25 inches in height. The medical cart can accommodate a 50-pound load on the main shelf and 150 pounds overall. For more information, contact...

Vein laser treatment kit.(Products)
January 1, 2004... The ELVeS (endo laser vein system) procedure kit includes the specific tools needed to treat superficial reflux of the greater saphenous vein, a condition which can lead to varicose veins. The kit also includes marketing materials. For more...

NSAID, proton pump combo.(Products)
January 1, 2004... Prevacid NapraPAC (lansoprazole delayed-release capsules and naproxen tablets kit) is now approved for reduction of NSAID-associated gastric ulcers in patients with a history of a documented gastric ulcer who require the use of an NSAID for the...

Panel backs OTC switch for Plan B: emergency contraception.
January 15, 2004... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- If the levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive becomes available over the counter, as was recommended by a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel, this option could halve the number of unintended pregnancies and...

Would your patients buy drugs at a substantially lower price from a foreign country?(Vital Signs)
January 15, 2004... Would your patients buy drugs at a substantially lower price from a foreign country? September 2003 Yes 48& No 26% Not Sure 26% November 2002 Yes 40% No 29% Not Sure 31% ...

Combo HT linked to doubling of thrombosis risk: the risk of venous thrombosis among HT users climbs with age and increasing BMI: preliminary analysis of final WHI data.
January 15, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Postmenopausal women who take estrogen plus progestin as hormone therapy have more than a twofold increase in risk of venous thrombosis, compared with nonusers, according to a preliminary analysis of final results from the Women's...

Valproate use in pregnancy linked with birth defects: more than 1,100 mg/day boosts the risk: preliminary analysis.
January 15, 2004... BOSTON -- Women who take sodium valproate during pregnancy are at greater risk of having a child with a fetal malformation than are those taking other antiepileptic drugs, according to a preliminary analysis of the 40-month data from an ongoing...

Postmenstrual phase reduces cost of ablation: no endometrial prep.(News)
January 15, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Performing microwave endometrial ablation in the immediate postmenstrual phase without standard endometrial preparation reduced costs without decreasing effectiveness and patient satisfaction, Dr. Stuart A. Jack reported at the...

Warning about treating DCIS without radiation: high recurrence rate.(News)
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Treatment of even the smallest low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ with wide excision alone, omitting radiotherapy, results in an unacceptable recurrence rate, Dr. Jennifer S. Wong reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored...

Socioeconomics don't explain racial disparity in breast Ca: poor outcomes.(News)
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- African Americans undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer have greater than 40% worse survival than women of other races--even after adjusting for differences in socioeconomic factors, baseline disease, and treatment...

Watch out for second primary tumors in breast Ca patients: gynecologic, cColon cancers.
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Gynecologic and colon cancers are the malignancies most often associated with breast cancer, both as preceding and second events, Dr. K. Popi Siziopikou reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and...

Antidepressants don't appear to increase risk of breast cancer: current or prior use.(News)
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Current or prior use of antidepressant medication doesn't appear to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer, Dr. Michelle Jackman reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research...

Hormone therapy at breast Ca diagnosis: no adverse effect on prognosis.(News)
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Being on hormone therapy at the time breast cancer is diagnosed doesn't adversely affect prognosis, Dr. Nigel J. Bundred reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. He presented...

Postmenopausal estrogen linked to improved cognition: retrospective analysis.(News)
January 15, 2004... MIAMI BEACH -- Postmenopausal estrogen users performed significantly better on computerized cognitive tests than nonusers, suggesting that the hormone may have a beneficial effect on cognition in some women, Joan Friebely, Ed.D., reported in a...

Premenopausal anxiety level may predict hot flashes: strong association.(News)
January 15, 2004... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Premenopausal women who reported high anxiety at enrollment in a 4-year study were up to 3.5 times as likely to experience hot flashes as their less anxious counterparts. The significant correlation between anxiety and...

FDA panel approves addition of folic acid to OCs: combo product still in 'concept' stage.(News)
January 15, 2004... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- The Food and Drug Administration's Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs voted unanimously that an oral contraceptive pill is a reasonable delivery vehicle for folic acid supplementation. The 19-member panel...

HSV Serotesting in pregnancy.(Guest Editorial)
January 15, 2004... To help stop the spread of genital herpes and HIV infection among adults in the United States and to prevent most cases of neonatal herpes, physicians should obtain type-specific herpes simplex virus serology from all pregnant women at the...

Bridging the provider-payer gap.(Guest Editorial)
January 15, 2004... If providers and payers do not work together to improve the health care system, politicians will do it for us. Physicians, hospitals, health plans, and others should join forces and lobby together for medical liability reform. Tort reform...

Talk back online.
January 15, 2004... TALK BACK ONLINE Do you consider a family history of breast cancer to be a contraindication to hormone therapy? (December 15, 2003, p. 10) No 79% Yes 21% To Talk Back, visit www.eobgynnews.com DR. LEE B....

Stillbirth risk up after first preterm or SGA birth: watch second pregnancy closely.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Women who give birth preterm or deliver a child who is small for gestational age are more likely to have a stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, compared with those whose babies are normal weight or born at term, Pamela J....

Get autopsy after abortion for fetal anomaly: data may flag recurrence.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... Postabortion autopsies can provide important risk-recurrence information to parents when pregnancy is terminated because of a prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly, according to a 10-year retrospective study, said Dr. Patricia A. Boyd of the...

More training needed in screening for depression: survey of residency programs.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Most obstetric residents and attending physicians at three residency programs said they would like more training in screening for depression during pregnancy, and all three programs lacked formal protocols for screening,...

Myasthenia gravis boosts pregnancy risks: preterm membrane rupture.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... Women with myasthenia gravis are more likely than those without the disease to experience complications during pregnancy, a retrospective population-based study has shown. Of the nearly 2 million women m Norway who gave birth between 1967...

Treating headache is a challenge in pregnancy: safe diagnostic measures.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- Headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period are common, but challenges lie in considering safe diagnostic measures and the teratogenic risk of drugs when offering treatment, Dr. Christine Lay reported during a...

Cesarean delivery may increase risk of a subsequent stillbirth: first pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... A woman who has a cesarean delivery in her first pregnancy may be at significantly increased risk of unexplained antepartum stillbirth in her second pregnancy. That finding is based on a review of pregnancy discharge data from the Scottish...

IVF success declines sharply after age 42; IUI rates hold until age 39: fertility treatments.(Obstetrics)
January 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Although women between the ages of 40 and 42 can expect reduced, but reasonable, in vitro fertilization success rates, a new study suggests that those success rates plummet once they reach age 43. "We all know that after age...

The patch vs. OCs: transdermal method more cost effective: first comparison of its kind.(Gynecology)
January 15, 2004... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Because of improved compliance, the transdermal contraceptive patch results in greater cost savings and reductions in pregnancy, compared with combination oral contraceptives, results from a novel analysis suggest. Cost...

Many men would consider using hormonal method of contraception: survey highlights experimental methods.(Gynecology)
January 15, 2004... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Many men are receptive to the idea of using hormonal contraceptives designed especially for them should these drugs ever hit the market, Dr. John Amory said at the annual meeting of the Association of Reproductive Health...

Endometrial vascularity won't replace saline hydrosonography: postmenopausal bleeding.(Gynecology)
January 15, 2004... PARIS -- Endometrial vascularity may be useful in predicting focal lesions in women with postmenopausal bleeding, but not for making a specific diagnosis, Dr. Elisabeth Epstein reported at the 13th World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and...

Metformin effective for adolescents with PCOS: two small studies.(Gynecology)
January 15, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- Metformin is a helpful treatment for adolescents who either have polycystic ovarian syndrome or are at risk for the condition, according to two new studies with small patient sample sizes presented at the annual meeting of the...

Focus groups show women want annual paps: hard-to-break habit.(Gynecology)
January 15, 2004... Physicians could be hard-pressed to convince their female patients that some don't need an annual Pap smear, a study has shown. In a series of eight focus group sessions meant to gauge women's perceptions about risk-based cervical cancer...