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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
Read more about this resource

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