Cervical Cancer Screening

With HPV vaccination and regular screening, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Cervical cancer screening, also known as a pap test, is recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65. Your provider will determine how often pap tests are needed based on your health history. A pap test can detect pre-cancerous changes in cervical cells, allowing for early treatment and preventing the development of cervical cancer.

What is Cervical Cancer?

According the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. In many cases, these cells first develop abnormal or pre-cancerous changes, which can be detected through a Pap test before they progress into cancer. These pre-cancerous cells may develop into cervical cancers of ten different varieties, though some varieties are more common than others.

The Basics about Prevention

Cervical cancer is highly preventable through a combination of vaccination and screening. Over the past 30 years, the death rate from cervical cancer has dropped by more than 50%, thanks to increased use of Pap testing. Those who are diagnosed with cervical cancer are often women who have rarely, or have never, had a Pap test. Preventive measures for cervical care are simple: get the HPV vaccine and follow your doctor’s guidance on how often to have a Pap test, which depends on your age and other risk factors.

A pap test to screen for cervical cancer can be performed by your primary care provider or an OB/GYN.