Cervical cancer is a generic term for cancer arising from the cervix.It is due to the ayearsbnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body from the cervical area. Getting screened for cervical cancer means getting tested before you have any symptoms. Screening tests for cervical cancer include:

• Pap tests, also called Pap smears
• HPV (human papillomavirus) tests

These tests can help find cervical cells that are infected with HPV or other abnormal cells before they turn into cervical cancer.

Most cervical cancers can be prevented by regular screenings – and the right follow-up treatment when needed.

How often should one get screened (tested)?

How often you need to get screened depends on how old you are and which screening tests you get.

If you are age 21 to 29, get screened with a Pap test every 3 years.

If you are age 30 to 65, you have 3 options:

• Get screened every 3 years with a Pap test
• Get screened every 5 years with an HPV test..
• Get screened every 5 years with both a Pap test and an HPV test.

Talk with your doctor about which option is right for you. Some women may also need to get screened more often. For example, your doctor may recommend that you get screened more often if you’ve had abnormal test results in the past.

If you are age 66 or older, ask your doctor if you need to continue getting screened for cervical cancer.