Cervical cancer is a serious disease, but it can often be prevented if you get checked regularly. Regular check-ups and screenings like Pap tests and HPV tests are important ways to screen for this cancer. This page gives you facts about cervical cancer screenings to help you decide what's best for your health.
Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of a woman's uterus (womb). Most of the time, cervical cancer is caused by a germ called human papillomavirus (HPV).
Yes, cervical cancer can grow slowly, and you may not feel any symptoms at first. That's why it's so important to get screened regularly.
Anyone who has a cervix can get cervical cancer.
The biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is having HPV. Other things that can raise your risk include:
You can lower your risk by:
The best ways to prevent cervical cancer are:
It is recommended that you should start getting checked at age 21.
A Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is when a doctor takes some cells from your cervix and looks at them under a microscope to see if anything looks abnormal.
How often you need a Pap test depends on your age and past results:
Ages 21-29: Pap test every 3 years.
Ages 30-65: Here are your choices:
Age 65 and older: You may not need to get screenings if your past results were normal. Talk to your doctor.
Although the timing of these tests vary, it is important to have an annual well women’s exam every year.
An HPV test looks for high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in cells from your cervix.
If you are between 30 and 65, and you choose to get the HPV test, you should get it every 5 years, with or without a Pap test.
If your results are not normal, your doctor may want to do more tests. These could include a colposcopy (where they look at your cervix more closely) or a biopsy (where they take a small piece of tissue to test).
Yes, see your doctor if you have any strange symptoms, like bleeding between periods, pelvic pain, or unusual discharge. Don't wait, even if you get regular screenings.
You still need to get regular screenings, even if you've had the HPV vaccine. The vaccine doesn't protect you from all the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.
Yes, you can:
Cervical cancer screening is an important part of staying healthy. Make sure you understand the choices for Pap tests and HPV tests and talk to your doctor about what's best for you.Remember to talk to your doctor! Tell them if you have any of the following:
Log in to your member portal to see your preventive schedule and find a doctor.
Disclaimer: This information is just to help you learn more and is not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor if you have health questions or before you make any decisions about your health or treatment.
Coverage: What your health plan covers can be different. Check your plan information for details.
