Who Should Have a Pap Smear and How Often?

Women who want to reduce their risks of cervical cancer owe a debt of gratitude to a Greek researcher most have never even heard of. That doctor is George Papanicolaou, the man for whom the well-known and highly effective Pap smear derives its name.

Dr. Papanicolaou developed the test in the 1920s, but it would be two decades before the Pap smear became recognized as a vital tool in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Today, the Pap smear is the gold standard for cervical cancer detection, helping women get the care they need to prevent cancer and stay healthy.

At OB/GYN Associates of Conroe, Richard Roberts, MD, offers Pap smears as part of a comprehensive annual exam and separately for at-risk women, helping women of all ages reduce their risks of cancer. Here, find out how Pap smears work, how often you should have a Pap smear, and at what age those tests should become part of your regular healthcare routine.

Pap smear basics

Pap smears are performed as part of a regular pelvic exam. During the exam, Dr. Roberts uses a special swab to wipe away and collect a small sample of cells from your cervix — the opening or “mouth” of the uterus. Once collected, the cells are examined under a microscope, looking for abnormalities associated with cancer or pre-cancer. 

Pap smears are quick and painless, and in addition to being part of a regular exam, they’re also routinely used to help diagnose the cause of abnormal bleeding or other unusual symptoms.

Pap smears are similar to another type of test — the HPV (human papillomavirus) test. HPV is a family of more than 100 viruses, and an HPV test looks for the types most often associated with cervical cancer.

How often to schedule your Pap smear

According to the CDC, cervical cancer causes about 4,000 deaths every year in the United States, and nearly 12,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year, as well. Having regular Pap smears is vitally important for “catching” cancer early so treatment can begin to prevent the cancer from getting worse.

According to current recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), you should start having regular Pap smears at 21, repeating the test every three years in most cases. For women 30-65 years old, you can choose to have an HPV test every five years instead if you prefer, or both tests every five years. These guidelines apply only to women who are monogamous, have not had multiple partners and have not had an abnormal pap smear or HPV infection in the past. At OB/GYN Associates of Conroe doctor Roberts prefers to do a pap smear with HPV testing as often as every year to find unsuspected problems that lead to abnormal pap smears.

After age 65, you may not need Pap smears every year as long as your previous 3 pap smears  were normal and you aren’t at high risk of cervical cancer. If you’ve had a hysterectomy that removed your cervix, you may not need a Pap smear very often. (It’s important to note that the USPSTF guidelines are currently being updated from their last update in 2018.) 

Bottom line: The best way to make sure you receive a Pap test when you need it is to schedule a visit with Dr. Roberts and our team. We review your medical history and risk factors to determine the best schedule focused on helping you stay healthy.

Scheduling your Pap smear 

A Pap smear takes a few moments of your time, but as part of your regular healthcare routine, it can provide a lifetime of better health and peace of mind. To schedule your Pap smear, call 936-756-7788 or book an appointment online with the team at OB/GYN Associates of Conroe in Conroe, Texas, today.