Here’s How Often You Should Schedule a Pap Smear

When you think about cancers that affect women, your mind might immediately go to breast cancer. But up until the 1970s, another form was the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States: cervical cancer. 

Fortunately, the rates of cervical cancer deaths have dropped significantly in the last 50 years. And that’s thanks largely to regular screening through Pap smears. 

If you’re due for a Pap smear, see our all-female team at Elite Gynecology. When you visit our office, you can expect a comfortable experience — at least as comfortable as possible for anything involving a speculum. We offer this care at our offices in Manhattan, Forest Hills, and Rego Park, New York.

Why Pap smears matter

So many health issues can be nipped in the bud with regular Pap smears. Cervical cancer makes that list. 

These kinds of cancerous cells don’t develop overnight. Instead, they start as abnormal cells. Their transformation into potentially fatal cancerous cells usually takes 3–7 years. 

With regular screenings, you can catch problem cells before they ever have the chance to become cancerous. With a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, we can remove abnormal cervical cells before they evolve into something more dangerous. 

So, how regular should these screenings be? If you think you need them annually, we’ve got good news. You can put some time in between each swab. 

When you should get Pap smears

The frequency of this cervical cancer screening depends on your age: 

Before 21

You don’t need a Pap smear, even if you’re sexually active. Cervical cancer grows slowly and is extremely rare in women under 21.

In your 20s

Get your first Pap smear at age 21, then keep a rhythm of every three years. Schedule one at ages 24, 27, and 30. 

Ages 30-65

Once you reach your 30s, you have options. You can keep getting Pap smears every three years. If you want to space things out more, though, you can. The key is to include a test for human papillomavirus (HPV). 

The vast majority of cervical cancers come from HPV. So screening for this virus helps doctors understand your risk level. And here’s some more good news: We can perform the HPV test from the same swab we take for your Pap. 

If you get an HPV test with your Pap smear, you can put five years between each screening. 

Ages 65+

If you’ve never had an abnormal Pap smear or HPV test, guidance from the National Cancer Institute says you can stop screening at 65. That said, some women choose to continue screening since cervical cancer doesn’t necessarily stop once you reach Medicare age. 

Our team can help you figure out what’s right for you. To get on a screening schedule to help prevent cervical cancer, call Elite Gynecology or book an appointment online today.