Why Do Women Need to Get Pap Smears?

A Pap smear is a quick screening test that examines cells from the cervix to look for abnormal changes that could indicate cervical cancer. It’s also often paired with HPV testing, since many cervical cancers are linked to high-risk human papillomavirus strains. In the U.S., the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women ages 21–29 get a Pap test alone every three years, without HPV testing. Women ages 30–65 should have co-testing (Pap plus HPV) every five years, or Pap alone every three years. Screening can stop after 65 if prior results were consistently negative and there’s no history of moderate to severe abnormalities or cancer. More frequent screening may be needed with higher-risk factors such as immunosuppression or smoking.