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Cervical Cancer. Get Screened. It absolutely matters.

Cervical cancer can often be found early, and sometimes even prevented entirely, by having regular Pap smear and HPV screenings. If detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers.

A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix, the opening of the uterus.

The American Cancer Society recommends women begin Pap test screenings at age 21. Talk with your doctor about what timing is right for you.

Sometimes you will get an HPV test at the same time as your Pap test. An HPV test may find some types of the virus that can cause cervical cancer. It looks for some high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), including types 16 and 18, which cause most cases of cervical cancer. 

Talk with your doctor about which tests you need and how often. 

Cancer Screening and Prevention Guidelines

Cervical Health

Note: Females who have had their uterus removed (and also the cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and who have no history of cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested.

Age 21-29

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear
Every 3 years, screening with cytology (Papanicolaou smear - Pap smear).
3 years

Age 30-65

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear OR Pap Smear with HPV Testing
Every 3 years, screening with cytology (Papanicolaou smear, Pap smear) alone. OR Screening with cytology (Pap smear) and HPV testing every 5 years.
3 OR 5 yrs

Age 65 and older

Screening Recommendations
Guidelines
Frequency
Pap Smear OR Pap Smear with HPV Testing
Females over 65 who have had adequate negative testing within the past 10 years AND no history of high-grade dysplasia within the past 20 years can stop cervical screening. Please discuss with your healthcare provider.
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