The Pap test, a cancer screening that looks for atypical cells in your cervix, has saved countless lives over the past decades. But you may not need one every year—or even every two.
Option 1: Every three years
If you’re between 21 and 65, you can wait three years between Pap tests, according to guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening every three years starting at age 21 saves the same number of lives as annual screening, the USPSTF says.
If you’re younger than 21, the USPSTF recommends against cervical cancer screening because it doesn’t appear to lower the number of cases or save lives.
The USPSTF also advises that women ages 65 and older with a history of normal Pap test results and women who have had a hysterectomy with the removal of the cervix can stop screening. Some older women may want to continue screening; speak with your healthcare provider about risk and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Option 2: Every five years
You can get a Pap test even less often—once every five years—if you’re between 30 and 65 and you get both the Pap test and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test at the same time. HPV is the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer. The USPSTF does not recommend HPV screening in women under 30; people in this age group are prone to HPV infections but their bodies typically clear the infection without longer term health issues.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the USPSTF’s recommendations, noting that women who are 30 or older who have had a normal Pap test result have a very low risk of getting cervical cancer in the next few years.
What to do between Pap tests
Even if you don’t need a Pap test, you should still see your OBGYN for an annual well-woman visit. Your provider will still check your blood pressure, give you a breast, abdominal, and pelvic exam, and discuss any health concerns you have.
And while you're waiting for your next Pap, remember that there are other steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer, such as practicing safe sex, limiting the number of sex partners you have, and avoiding tobacco.
The HPV vaccine also helps to protect against cervical cancer, as well as cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and middle part of the throat. Boys and girls can begin vaccination at age 9, and it’s recommended for everyone through age 26. If you’re between the ages of 26 and 45 and not vaccinated, speak with your provider about its potential benefits and drawbacks. You should still be screened for cervical cancer if you’ve received an HPV vaccine.
