The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States each year. The good news is that it can often be prevented or found early through screening. Read on to learn what you need to know about cervical cancer screening.

What is Cervical Cancer Screening?

Cervical cancer screening checks for changes in the cells of the cervix that could turn into cancer. There are two main types of tests:

  • Pap test: Looks for cell changes on the cervix.
  • HPV test: Looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause these cell changes.

Who Should Get Screened?

Ages 21-29

  • Should start getting Pap tests at age 21.
  • If Pap test result is normal, can wait 3 years until next Pap test.

Ages 30-65

The CDC recommends 1 of these 3 options:

  1. HPV test every 5 years (called primary HPV testing).
  2. Pap test every 3 years.
  3. HPV test and Pap test together (co-testing) every 5 years.

Over Age 65

The only way to know it is safe to stop being tested after age 65 is if you have had several tests in a row that didn’t find cancer in the past 10 years, and at least 1 test in the last 5 years.

  • For the Pap test, you should have 3 normal tests in a row.
  • For the Pap-HPV co-test, you should have 2 normal tests in a row.
  • For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Some people over 65 may need to keep screening if they:

  • Have a history of serious pre-cancer changes or cervical cancer.
  • Have a weakened immune system – for example, people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, organ transplant, or long-term steroid use.
  • Were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth.

Talk with your primary care provider* (PCP) about your medical history and risk factors to learn which screening you should get.

Why is Screening Important?

  • It can find problems early, before cancer develops.
  • When found early, cervical cancer is highly treatable.
  • Routine screening helps lower your risk of death from cervical cancer.

How to Get Screened

  • Talk to your PCP about which test is right for you.
  • Screening is quick and can be done at your routine check-up.
  • SFHP covers cervical cancer screening and treatment.

Don’t put off this important health test. Make an appointment for your cervical cancer screening today. It could save your life.

*A primary care provider (PCP) is the doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner in charge of your health care.

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