The cervix connects the uterus (or womb) to the vagina. In women, abnormal cells in the cervix can become
cancer if they aren’t found early and treated.
The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to get regular Pap tests. A Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear)
is a screening test for cervical cancer. It’s done in a doctor’s office or clinic.
You need a Pap test if you are:
- Age 21 or older
- Under age 21 and have been sexually active for 3 years or more
Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death for U.S. women, but the number of women with the disease
has reduced dramatically due to women getting Pap tests. Cervical cancer is most common in women over age 30.
Most cervical cancer deaths could have been prevented by regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find abnormal cells
before they turn into cancer. The test can also find cervical cancer early enough, when it can be treated and cured.
Doctors recommend that women who are sexually active or ages 21 to 64 have a Pap test once every 1 to 3 years.
These guidelines are regularly updated as more medical data is collected and new tests are developed to determine
how early or for how long the Pap test is necessary.