January was cervical cancer health awareness month.
Understand cervical cancer screening and prevention.
Cervical cancer is the fourth-most-common cancer in women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although all individuals with a cervix are at risk, the disease occurs most often after age 30.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine cervical cancer screening to find precancerous changes early. HPV vaccination during childhood and adolescence also plays a critical role in preventing future cervical cancer.
Routine recommended cancer screenings.
| Age | Recommended screening |
|---|---|
| Ages 21–29 | Pap test every 3 years |
| Ages 30–65 |
Choose one of the following:
|
| Over age 65 | Screening may be discontinued if prior results have been consistently negative (three consecutive negative Pap tests or two negative HPV tests within the past 10 years). Some women may still need screening based on clinical history. |
Talk with your provider about which cervical cancer screening is right for you.
Learn more.
For more information, visit the Women’s Health webpage and the CDC website.
