Cervical cancer screening is an essential part of women’s healthcare starting at age 21 up to age 65. Sometimes screening can continue past the age of 65. A sample of cervical cells is taken during your examination and sent to the laboratory to evaluate for abnormal cells and/or the presence of high risk types of HPV.
Women 21 to 29 years old have a pap for their cervical cancer screening. Women 30 years or older have a pap and HPV screening; called cotesting. With recent normal pap screening, cervical cancer screening is performed every 3 years. The Pap test is only one component of your well woman exam so it is important to continue to visit your provider annually.
