Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of control in the cervix — the lower, narrow end of the uterus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent with regular screening tests and follow-up. It is also highly curable when found and treated early.

Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, according to the CDC. In the past 40 years, the number of cases and deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This decline largely is the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, which can find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer.

Nonetheless in 2021, it is estimated that 14,480 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,290 women in the United States will die from cervical cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity and causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.

The good news is that the HPV vaccine can prevent HPV. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. According to the CDC, it is recommended for preteens (both boys and girls) aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given as early as age 9 and until age 26. The vaccine is given in a series of either two or three shots, depending on age.

It is important to note that even women who are vaccinated against HPV need to have regular Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screenings can help detect abnormal (changed) cells early, before they turn into cancer.

Women between 21 and 65 are advised to have a cervical cancer screening test (pap smear) every three years. Between 30 and 65, women are advised to also test for HPV (human papilloma virus) every five years.