Cervical Cancer Screening Exams
How often you get tested for cervical cancer depends on your chances for getting the disease.
Having one or more risks for cervical cancer does not mean you will definitely get the disease. It means that you may be more likely to get cervical cancer. If you are at increased risk for cervical cancer, you may need to begin testing earlier and/or be tested more often. Look at the lists below to find out if you are at average or increased risk for cervical cancer.
Increased Risk
Women at increased risk have a higher chance of getting cervical cancer than women at average risk. Women at increased risk include those who have:
- History of cervical cancer or severe cervical dysplasia (pre-cancer)
- Persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection after age 30 (HPV testing not recommended in women younger than age 30)
- An immune system that does not function properly
- Been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth
See screening guidelines for women at increased risk.
Average Risk
If you none of the above bullets apply to you, then you may be at average risk for cervical cancer.
For Physicians
Use our flowchart to determine cancer screening recommendations for patients.