Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer screening helps find abnormal cells early, before they turn into cancer. Women should start Pap tests (which look for precancerous changes) at age 21, usually every three years. After age 30, combining Pap tests with HPV tests (which detect the virus linked to cervical cancer) every five years is recommended. Women over 65 who have had regular normal tests may stop screening. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s advice based on your personal and medical history. Regular screening can prevent most cervical cancers by catching issues early when they’re most treatable.