Have You Had Your Cervical Cancer Screening?

As a family physician, I am seeing that more women are falling behind on cervical cancer screening. Screening tests are meant to help you lead a fuller, more healthy life. It takes a minute to get a pap smear done. Ask your physician to add it to your annual well visit.

A recent study found that by 2023, almost 1 in 3 women ages 21 to 29 had never been screened for cervical cancer. In 2005, that number was about 1 in 8.

Screening is important because it can find changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the cancers we can often prevent with regular screening.

Depending on your age and health history, screening may include a Pap test, an HPV test, or both. These tests are usually quick and can be done during an office visit.

You may still need cervical cancer screening even if you:

• Feel perfectly healthy
• Have no symptoms
• Have not had sex recently
• Have gone through menopause

If you are not sure when your last Pap or HPV test was, ask your doctor. We can look at your records and help you figure out when your next screening is due.

Don’t Forget the HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine can lower your risk of HPV infections that can lead to abnormal cervical cells, cervical precancer, and cervical cancer.

The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26 if they have not already completed the series. For adults ages 27 through 45, vaccination may still be helpful for some people and can be discussed with your physician.

If you have not had all of your HPV vaccine doses, ask your doctor whether you should finish the series.

The most important message: Don’t wait for symptoms. Cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination are two important ways to help prevent cervical cancer.