Who Should Get a Pap Smear?
Doctors and healthcare providers suggest that women should start taking a pap smear and other screening test at the age of 25. You would need it more frequent if:
– You are HIV-positive or have a compromised immune system.
– You are hat high risk of developing cervical cancer.
– Your mom was exposed diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy.
– You have had abnormal results for the previous pap smear.
It is recommended that women from 25 to 65 years old should take an HPV test every 5 years or a pap smear every 3 years. Co-testing tends to be more effective as it can identify more cell abnormalities. You do not need a pap smear if:
– You are over 65 years old and have had 3 normal pap smears in a row.
– You have not had abnormal results for a pap smears in the last 10 years.
– You have had your cervix and uterus removed.
Consult your healthcare provider to know exactly how often and when you need to take this test. [3]
