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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Cervical Cancer: Screening

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Last Reviewed: August 2018

Workgroups: Cancer Workgroup, Access to Health Services Workgroup

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for cervical cancer every 3 years with a Pap test in women ages 21 to 29 years. For women ages 30 to 65 years, USPSTF recommends screening every 3 years with a Pap test, 
every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing, or every 5 years with both types of tests. In addition, USPSTF recommends against screening for cervical cancer in women who: 

  • Are younger than 21 years
  • Have had a hysterectomy and haven’t had a high-grade precancerous lesion or cervical cancer
  • Are older than 65 years, have had adequate screening, and aren’t at high risk for cervical cancer
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Objectives related to this resource (2)

Increase the proportion of females who get screened for cervical cancer — C‑09
Little or no detectable change
Increase the proportion of adults who get recommended evidence-based preventive health care — AHS‑08
Getting worse

Suggested Citation

1.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Cervical cancer: screening. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/cervical-cancer-screening