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Make sure to talk with your doctor about timing and the best test options for you.
The most important thing you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to have regular screening tests starting at age 21.
Cervical Cancer Screening Tests
- Two tests can help prevent cervical cancer—
- The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. You should start getting Pap tests at age 21.
- The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
The American Cancer Society recommends that women follow these guidelines to help find cervical cancer early as well as finding pre-cancers:
Women should start cervical cancer screening at age 21. Women 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every three years, and beginning at 30, the preferred way to screen is with a Pap test combined with an HPV test every 5 years, continuing to age 65. Another option for testing starting at 30 is to be tested every three years with just the Pap test.
Women at high risk for cervical cancer may need to be screened more often and should consult with their healthcare provider.
Women over 65 who have had regular screenings in the previous 10 years should stop cervical cancer screenings as long as they haven’t had any serious pre-cancers found in the last 20 years.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.
