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One test that’s part of well-woman screenings is the Pap test, an easy test that checks for cancer in the cervix. Because cervical cancer is a slow-growing type of cancer, having the Pap test can catch problems before they become cancer or early enough to treat it.
Once one of the most common causes of cancer deaths for American women, cervical cancer is now among the easiest gynecological cancers to prevent and treat.
The Pap test is an effective test because it can find:
A steady drop in the number of deaths from cervical cancer shows that more women are making the right choice by having the test.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends cervical cancer screenings for all women starting at age 21, using the following timing:
Are you due for your annual exam? Pap tests are one easy way to protect yourself. Talk with your doctor and schedule regular screenings.
HPV, short for human papillomavirus, can lead to cancer of the cervix and can also cause vaginal and vulvar cancers.
HPV is actually a group of more than 150 viruses. It is so common that nearly all people will get at least one HPV virus at some point in their lives.
Screening for HPV can let your doctor know if you are likely to get cancer from HPV. Problems can be found and treated before they turn into cancer. For women ages 30 and older, the HPV test can be used along with the Pap test.
There is a vaccine that can prevent infection from the types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer. It is recommended for both boys and girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting the vaccine around the age of 11 or 12, but it can be given later — up to age 26 for women and age 21 for men.
Originally published 1/13/2020, Revised 2021; Reviewed 2022
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