How often should women get screened for cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is one of the most curable cancers if found and treated in its early stages. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that, over the last 30 years, the cervical cancer death rate in the United States has dropped by more than 50 percent.
This reduced death rate is mainly due to the effectiveness of the Pap test, a method of cervical screening used to detect signs of cancer in the cervix.
But how often should women get screened for signs of cervical cancer?
The latest guidelines set forth by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend:
- Women aged 21 to 29 years get screened for cervical cancer every 3 years with cervical cytology alone.
- Women aged 30 to 65 years get screened every 3 years with cervical cytology alone, every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing alone, or every 5 years with hrHPV testing in combination with cytology (co-testing).
"Some women will be at higher risk and need more often pap smears," says Michael Vietz, MD, Chief of OB/GYN, with Ascension Saint Agnes. "Women in these age groups should also receive annual well women exams, which may not include a pap smear."
Women should talk with their provider about the best course of action for their health and wellness.
