How do you get screened for cervical cancer?
How do you get screened for cervical cancer?
Most people should have regular cervical cancer screenings. Screenings include Pap tests, testing for HPV or a combination of both tests.
These are the cervical screening cancer guidelines:
- Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 years, regardless of sexual history. Some healthcare providers are willing to delay this until age 25.
- For those 21 to 29 years of age, screening is recommended every three years with only a Pap test (no HPV test).
- For people 30 years and older, co-testing with Pap and HPV should be done every five years, or Pap test alone every three years.
- Routine Pap testing should be discontinued (stopped) in those who have had a total hysterectomy for benign conditions and who have no history of CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) grade 2 or higher.
- Cervical cancer screening can be discontinued at age 65 in those who have two consecutive normal co-test results or three consecutive normal Pap test results in the past 10 years, with the most recent normal test performed in the past five years.
- People who have been adequately treated for CIN grade 2 or higher will need to continue screening for 20 years, even if it takes them past the age of 65.
- People 65 to 70 years of age or older who have had three or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 20 years should stop having cervical cancer screening. Those with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have screening as long as they are in good health.
- Those who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) should also stop having cervical cancer screening unless they have a history of cervical cancer or precancer. People who have had a hysterectomy without removal of their cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.
Those with certain risk factors such as DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system will follow a different schedule.