When Should You Get a Pap Test and Why?

healthy living When Should You Get a Pap Test and Why?

can usually be treated with simple office changes are found and treated early, procedures. Because of the Pap test, before cervical cancer develops. many fewer women now die from cer- HPV can be spread during sex and vical cancer. through skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV cannot be prevented by using How does a woman get condoms. Using condoms is still impor- cervical cancer? tant because it helps prevent other Scientists think that certain types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. HPV is a com- Should I see my doctor? mon virus that can be passed from one Women should go to their doctor or partner to another during sex. Most health care professional if there are people carry HPV, briefly, multiple any visible signs of genital warts. This A Pap test can find changes times in their lives, but the immune includes unusual bumps or skin in the cells of the cervix. system clears the virus without any changes on or near the vagina, vulva, negative effects. There are many types anus, or groin (where the genital area Pap test—often called a Pap of HPV, and most of them are harm- meets the inner thigh). You should Asmear—is a quick test done less. A few types of HPV are linked also see your doctor if you have any during an office visit. It can help with cervical precancer and cancer. unusual itching, pain, or bleeding. find early changes in cervical cells Other types of HPV cause genital Men should go to their doctor or and prevent cervical cancer. Your warts, though most people with HPV health care professional if there are doctor or health care professional have no visible signs or symptoms. any unusual bumps or skin changes gently removes cells from your on the penis, scrotum, or groin. cervix (the part of the uterus or Smoking may increase your chance of womb at the top of the vagina) developing cervical cancer, especially if HPV Vaccine during a pelvic exam. The cells you have HPV. If you are a smoker and would like to quit, we can help. We recommend that girls get the HPV are sent to a lab to see if they vaccine at their pre-teen check up when might turn into cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor or health care professional, visit kp.org/quitsmoking, they are 11 to 12 years old (preferably Most Pap tests are negative. This or go to your Health Education before they are sexually active). The vac- means that the cells are normal and Department for more information. cine can prevent the types of HPV healthy. If there are changes in the linked to harmful changes in the cervix cells on your cervix, you may need How can I protect myself from as well as those that cause genital warts. further testing to find out if you cervical cancer? Young women age 19 to 26 should talk have changes that might lead to with their doctor to see if the vaccine cancer (precancerous). The best way to protect yourself from might be right for them. Vaccination of cervical cancer is to get regular Pap women older than 18 is much less likely Why is it important to get tests. Changes in the cells of the cervix to prevent precancerous changes than if a Pap test? are present for years in most women the vaccine is given before the start of A Pap test can find changes in the who eventually develop cervical cancer. sexual activity. The vaccine is not cells of the cervix. These changes Cervical cancer can be prevented if cell approved for women over age 26.

HEALTH EDUCATION healthy living When Should You Get a Pap Test and Why?

Who should get a Pap test? follow up with regular Pap plus If you had a partial hysterectomy You should get a Pap test every three HPV tests every three years. This (only your uterus was removed) and years if you are 21-65 years old. does not mean you can’t see your you still have your cervix, you may doctor more often; it just means that stop having Pap tests under the same You should discuss how often to you do not need testing for cervical circumstances as women who have have a Pap test with your doctor if: cancer more often. If your HPV test not had a hysterectomy. • You have had an abnormal is positive, you need to have a Pap Pap test plus HPV test every year until your Do I need a Pap test if I do • You have had cancer of the cervix, HPV becomes negative. not have sexual intercourse? vulva, or vagina You should also get a Pap test if: It is recommended that all women who are between the ages of 21 How often should I get a • You are a new member. and 65 (and have not had a total Pap test? • You have recently returned to hysterectomy) have Pap tests. This is Kaiser Permanente, and have because HPV is present in people’s Women under 30 not had a Pap test at Kaiser mouths and under their fingernails Kaiser Permanente recommends that Permanente in the past three years. and can occasionally be transmitted women under the age of 30 get a • You have never had a Pap test. by intimate contact other than Pap test every three years (after sexual intercourse. having had two normal yearly Pap If you had a Pap test that was not tests in a row). Cervical cells become normal, you and your doctor will cancerous very slowly. A Pap test decide how often you need to get every three years can find changes in tested. Additional resources cells early on, which can usually be If you have bleeding between peri- • Connect to your physician or nurse treated during an office procedure ods, pain in your lower abdomen, or practitioner’s home page at before they progress to cancer. This other symptoms, see your doctor or kp.org/my doctor or go to kp.org recommendation reflects the fact health care professional right away. to access more health and drug that almost all women who get information, interactive programs, cervical cancer are age 30 or older. When can I stop having health classes, and more. HPV testing is not routinely done Pap tests? • If you are hurt or threatened by a partner or spouse, including pres- under the age of 30 because positive You can stop having Pap tests if: tests are so common that they don’t suring or forcing you to have sex, or refusing to wear a condom to provide reliable results. • You are over 65 and have had at least 3 normal Pap tests in the protect against pregnancy or STDs, past 10 years; or this can seriously affect your Women 30 and older health. There is help. Call the At age 30 and over, the risk of • You are over 65 and have had a National Domestic Violence Hotline cervical cancer is greater and the negative HPV test and a normal at 1-800-799-7233 or connect to chance of having a positive HPV test Pap test; or ndvh.org. is lower, so you should have a Pap • You have had a total hysterectomy • Contact your facility’s Health test plus an HPV test. If both tests (where your cervix was removed) Education Center or Department are negative, your risk of cervical and you have no history of cancer for health information, programs, and other resources. cancer is extremely low. You should of the cervix, vulva, or vagina.

This information is not intended to diagnose or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor.