Who Should Have a Pap Smear and How Often

While many health issues can blindside you, there are some that we can successfully screen for, and cervical cancer is one of them. In fact, since the 1970s, rates of cervical cancer in American women have been cut by more than half, and this impressive decrease is largely driven by the Pap test (Pap smear).

Since January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the United States, board-certified family physician Dr. Vijaya Nama and her team thought it would be a great time to reiterate the importance of consistent screening through the Pap test.

What we want you to know about cervical cancer

We already covered one of the most important aspects of cervical cancer: rates have gone down considerably since screening became widespread. As a result, only about 13,300 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the US, yet the disease still claims more than 4,300 lives annually.

So, it’s no exaggeration to say that the five-minute Pap test can potentially save your life.

When we perform a Pap test, we use a swab to gather cells from the surface of your cervix, which is the entryway to your uterus. We then study the collected cells under a microscope to check for the presence of abnormal or precancerous cells.

These abnormal cells are usually the result of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which are responsible for more than 90% of cervical cancers.

Screening for cervical cancer with the Pap test

Now let’s dive into a solid screening schedule for cervical cancer that women of average risk would do well to follow (we’ll get into high risk issues in a moment).

Included in this schedule is the HPV test, which is a similar test to the Pap smear in that it can screen for cervical cancer, as well. The difference between the two is that the Pap test checks for abnormal cells while the HPV screening tests for evidence of HPV infection.

Between the two tests, we’ve really got you covered and here’s how they can work together:

• Women between the ages of 21 and 29: Pap test every three years
• Women between the ages of 30 and 65 have three options: 1. Continue a Pap test every three years; 2. Do combined Pap and HPV test every five years; 3. Do an HPV test every five years

If you’ve kept up with screening throughout your life, you might be able to do away with testing after the age of 65 if nothing suspicious arises in any of your previous testing and you have a track record of negative findings.

When you need more Pap tests

Now let’s get into variations on the guidelines we present above. To start, if we come up with abnormal results during a Pap test, you can expect another test in the near future. It’s important to note that abnormal results from one Pap test isn’t necessarily cause for concern as your body often handles HPV infections on its own. 

If we still find abnormal cells during follow-up tests, the good news is that we can remove the abnormal cells from your cervix to prevent them from turning the corner into cervical cancer.

Another reason why you might need to undergo Pap tests more frequently is if you’re at higher risk for cervical cancer. These risks include:

• Frequent HPV infections
• You have a high-risk sexual partner or you have multiple partners
• You have a weakened immune system
• You have a history of chlamydia
• You have a family history of cervical cancer

If any of these apply to you, we may need to perform more Pap tests.

If you want to figure out the best Pap test schedule for your circumstances, we invite you to contact Vijaya Nama, MD, today at her office in Mesquite, Texas, to set up an appointment.