10 Things You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the U.S. In fact, as many as 93% of cases could be prevented with regular screenings such as Pap smears and vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, with persistent infections leading to abnormal cell changes that can develop into cancer over time.
Still, every year nearly 13,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer. You have probably heard a lot of things about what types of screenings you need and at what age. It’s important to have access to reliable information and guidance so you can take the right steps for your health.
Here are 10 things you need to know about cervical cancer screening:
1. Women should get Pap tests starting at age 21.
The first step in protecting your cervical health is to begin Pap tests (or Pap smears) at age 21 as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
Screening before this age isn’t generally recommended. Even if you’re sexually active, cervical cancer is so rare in women under 21 that the risk of unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments outweighs any potential benefit.
2. Screening before age 21 is unnecessary, even if sexually active.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect the genital area, but in most cases, it goes away on its own without causing harm. It usually takes many years for HPV to lead to cervical cancer and most young women—even those who are sexually active—will not develop cancer before age 21.
3. The majority of new cervical cancers are diagnosed in women who do not have regular screenings.
More than half of new cervical cancers occur in people who have never had a Pap test or haven’t been screened in the last five years. This shows just how important regular screening is as a preventive measure. People who don’t get screened are at a much higher risk of developing cervical cancer that could have been caught early.
4. Cervical cancer can be prevented with early detection.
One of the most powerful things you can do to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get regular screenings. Pap tests and HPV testing help detect abnormal changes early—before they have a chance to become cancerous.
5. Women over age 30 have several screening options.
There are three main options for cervical cancer screening in individuals over 30:
A Pap test
An HPV test
A co-test (both Pap and HPV)
Each method has strengths. HPV testing and co-testing tend to be more sensitive at identifying women at risk, though they can sometimes lead to more follow-up procedures. Your healthcare provider can help determine which option is best for your health history.
6. An abnormal Pap test doesn’t mean cancer.
An abnormal result doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. Often, it simply means there are cell changes that may not be cancerous and could go away on their own. Additional tests, like a colposcopy or biopsy, may be done to better understand what’s going on.
7. Some women need to be screened more often.
People with certain risk factors may require more frequent screening. This includes those with:
A history of cervical cancer
HIV
A weakened immune system
Past exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)
If previous test results were abnormal, closer monitoring may also be necessary.
8. Women over 65: When to stop screening
You may be able to stop cervical cancer screening after age 65 if you’ve had consistently normal results. Additionally, those who have had a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons (like fibroids) and no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer, may also be able to stop.
Guidelines generally say you don’t need to continue screening if you’ve had:
Three normal Pap tests in the past 10 years
Or two negative HPV tests in the same timeframe
9. Four out of five women will have HPV at some point.
HPV is incredibly common—around 80% of sexually active people will get it at some point in their lives. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against the most high-risk strains that cause cervical cancer.
10. Vaccinated women still need screening.
Even if you’ve been vaccinated against HPV, regular cervical cancer screening is still necessary. The vaccine doesn’t protect against all strains of HPV that can lead to cancer. Routine screening ensures early detection of any abnormal changes.
Take Charge of Your Cervical Health
If you have questions or need help deciding when or how often to get screened, speak with your healthcare provider. Whether you’re getting screened for the first time or reviewing your options based on age or risk, preventive care is a powerful step toward protecting your reproductive health.