Cervical cancer can occur in the lower part of a woman’s uterus, called the cervix. By doing a Pap test, doctors can find abnormal cells that can possibly lead to cervical cancer even before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. In finding and treating cancer early, you can prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of your body.
Your doctor will do a “Pap test” as part of a pelvic exam. The Pap test is a simple test that checks for abnormal cells on your cervix. For women between the ages of 21 and 65 years, national guidelines recommend that women get a Pap test every 3 years, or every 5 years for women ages 30-65 who get a Pap+HPV co-test instead of a Pap test alone. Talk with your doctor about which of these options is best for you. Women who are at high risk for cervical cancer may need to be screened more often. If you have an abnormal Pap test, your doctor will discuss your next steps and options.
To learn more about Pap tests and cervical cancer, ask your doctor and health plan for educational materials and other resources. These materials can help you in better understanding the tests, results and treatment options.