What are the current guidelines for a Pap test?

ACS recommends cervical cancer screening with an HPV test alone every 5 years for everyone with a cervix from age 25 until age 65. If HPV testing alone is not available, people can get screened with an HPV/Pap cotest every 5 years or a Pap test every 3 years.

What is the general recommendation for when Pap tests should start?

You should start having screening at age 21, regardless of when you first start having sex. How often you should have cervical cancer screening and which tests you should have depend on your age and health history: Women who are 21 to 29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years.

How old do you have to be to have a Pap smear?

The AAFP recommends Pap smears for women ages 21 to 65. The AAFP recommends against screening for cervical cancer (Pap smears) in women older than age 65 years who have had adequate prior screening and aren’t otherwise at high risk for cervical cancer. How often do I need a Pap smear?

What to do if you have an abnormal Pap test?

If you have an unclear or abnormal Pap test result, you made need further tests and/or treatment including: 1 Another Pap test. 2 An HPV test: a test that looks for high-risk types of the virus that can cause precancerous cells. 3 A colposcopy: a special exam to look more closely at your cervix to see if there are precancerous cells.

How often should you have a Pap test?

ACOG, ACS, AMA and CTFPHC recommend annual screening with a Pap test and pelvic examination in all women who are or who have been sexually active or who are 18 years and older. 2, 3, 6, 7 The frequency of Pap tests may be decreased at the discretion of the physician after two or three consecutive normal tests.

When to have a Pap smear for cervical cancer?

The AAFP recommends Pap smears for women ages 21 to 65. The AAFP recommends against screening for cervical cancer (Pap smears) in women older than age 65 years who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk for cervical cancer.