Cervical cancer screening
The screening test for cervical cancer is called a Pap test or Pap smear. Your doctor gives you a Pap test as part of a pelvic exam to find and treat abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
Depending on your age, your doctor may also suggest you get a human papillomavirus (HPV) test along with your Pap test even if you’ve already had the HPV vaccine.
Age 21 to 30
- Have a Pap test every 3 years
Age 30 to 65
- Have a Pap test every 3 years
- OR have a combination HPV and Pap test every 5 years
Age 65+
You may no longer need a Pap test if:
- You’ve had 3 normal Pap tests in a row
- OR you’ve had 2 combination HPV and Pap tests in a row with normal results in the past 10 years, if one of those tests was in the past 5 years
Ask your doctor what’s right for you.
If you’ve had a hysterectomy, your cervix may have been removed along with your uterus. Ask your doctor if you’re not sure.
- If you don’t have a cervix
- You may no longer need pap smears if your hysterectomy was performed for reasons not related to cervical cancer or cervical precancerous changes
- Have regular Pap tests if you had cervical cancer
- Have regular Pap tests if your cervix was removed for precancerous changes
- If you have a cervix
- Have regular Pap tests until age 65
You’ll need additional tests
- After any abnormal Pap test
- Were exposed to DES (diethylstilbestrol) before you were born
- Have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- Have a history of abnormal Pap tests or cervical cancer
- Have a weakened immune system.
By Betty Shen, MD - Published November 3, 2015