Women’s Screening
Cervical Cancer Screening
⦁ Ages 21-29: Pap test every 3 years.
⦁ Ages 30-65: Pap test every 3 years or Pap test and HPV test every 5 years.
⦁ Over 65: Screening can potentially stop if past screening results were normal and there’s no history of cervical cancer or high-grade precancerous lesions.
Important Considerations:
⦁ HPV Vaccination:
Women who have been vaccinated against HPV still need to follow these screening guidelines, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
⦁ Hysterectomy:
Women who have had a hysterectomy may still need to be screened, depending on whether the cervix was removed and their individual risk factors.
⦁ Increased Risk:
Women with certain risk factors, such as HIV infection, weakened immune systems, or exposure to DES before birth, may need more frequent or earlier screening, says the National Cancer Institute.
⦁ Abnormal Results:
If a Pap test or HPV test shows abnormal results, more frequent or additional testing, such as colposcopy, may be recommended, according to the National Institutes of Health.