Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, a part of the female reproductive system. The cervix is the opening of the uterus. It connects the vagina (or birth canal) to the uterus (womb).

Cervical cancer usually starts with changes to the cells on the cervix, called dysplasia. These abnormal cells can be removed to prevent cancer, if found early through regular screening. Regular screening can also find cancer early when it is more easily treated.

Cervical Cancer Screening Tests

There are two screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. These tests are usually done during a pelvic exam* and can be done alone or at the same time.

  • Papanicolaou test (known as a Pap test or Pap Smear)
    During a Pap test, cells are taken from the cervix and sent to a lab to be looked at under a microscope for changes. Your health care provider will contact you if the Pap test results show cells that are not normal and may become cancer. It is very important to do any follow-up tests your health care provider recommends.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test
    The HPV test looks for the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer. A positive result for HPV means that you have a type of HPV that may be linked to cancer. It does not mean you have cancer, but it is important to do any follow-up tests your health care provider recommends. Click here for more information on HPV and HPV vaccine.

*A pelvic exam is not enough to find cervical cancer. Regular cervical cancer screening tests are needed to find cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations

Current guidelines** recommend cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 for people with a cervix.

  • Ages 21 to 29 years: Pap test every three years.
  • Ages 30 to 65 years: Choice of Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years, or a Pap test and HPV test every five years.

In addition, people with a cervix who:

  • are not having sex or who think they're too old to have a child should still have regular cervical cancer screenings.
  • have had the HPV vaccine still need regular screening.
  • are older than 65 and have had normal Pap results for many years can stop getting screened.
  • have had their cervix removed during surgery for a non-cancerous reason, such as fibroids, may not need screening.

People with a cervix should talk with their health care provider to decide what is best for them.

** These are United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. Other organizations and professional societies have developed guidelines for cervical cancer screening. Screening guidelines are for people at average risk for cervical cancer. Individuals should talk with their health care provider about their own risk for cervical cancer and decide what age to start and how often to get screened for cervical cancer.

Getting Screened

If you don't have insurance, you may be able to get a free cervical cancer screening and additional tests as needed through the New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP). If cancer is found, treatment may be covered for those with no health insurance and who qualify.

  • Call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find a CSP near you. The call is free, and operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Translation services are available for languages other than English. You can also visit our Community Programs List to find your local CSP by county or borough and call directly.
  • If you do not live in New York State, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find a low and/or no cost screening program in your state.

If you do have health insurance, cervical cancer screening is covered at no cost to the patient by nearly all health plans, including those that participate in the New York State of Health and New York's Medicaid program. Health plan coverage may vary. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for cervical cancer screening.