Empowering Your Cervical Health

A Guide to Cervical Cancer Screenings and Resources

July 22, 2024

There are many ways to monitor for signs of cancer on your own. For skin cancer, you can check for suspicious spots and bumps on your skin. For breast cancer, you can monitor your breasts for lumps, swelling, and nipple changes. For head and neck cancer, you can be on the lookout for a persistent sore throat or a mass in your neck.

When it comes to cervical cancer (cancer that starts in the narrow end of the uterus, called the cervix), it can be harder to detect on your own. Coupled with the fact that you can’t see your own cervix, this type of cancer doesn’t usually have symptoms in its early stages.

As a result, cervical cancer screening and prevention (including the HPV vaccine, which has the potential to prevent over 90% of the cancers caused by HPV from ever forming) is critical for anyone with a cervix. Thanks to these lifesaving measures, cervical cancer rates and deaths decreased by more than half from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s.

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we’re committed to helping you understand when and how to get screened for cervical cancer, as well as what to do with your results. By being proactive, you can take charge of your cervical health now and in the future.

What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

Screening tests are used to look for signs of cancer before any symptoms occur. With cervical cancer, tests detect cell changes that may become cancer (called precancerous cells). This makes cervical cancer screening unique, as it can keep cervical cancer from ever developing.

Cervical cancer screening can also find early signs of cancer, when it’s easier to treat.

There are 3 primary ways of screening for cervical cancer:

1. Pap test: Also known as Pap smear or cervical cytology, Pap tests search for cell changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer. These tests detect precancerous cells and cancerous cells.
2. HPV test: An HPV test looks for cells that are infected with types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer.
3. HPV/Pap cotest: This test joins together the HPV and Pap test to check for HPV and concerning changes in cervical cells.

When Should I Get Screened for Cervical Cancer?

Routine cervical cancer screening is key to catching problems as early as possible. How often and at what age you should begin screening depends on your individual health. However, everyone with a cervix – including those who have been vaccinated against HPV – should follow screening guidelines.

Before 21 Years Old

There is no cervical cancer screening recommended prior to 21 years old. This is because the chances of someone this young developing cervical cancer is very low.

21 to 29 Years Old

Get your first Pap test done at 21 years old (even if you’re sexually active before turning 21). After that, you should have a Pap test done every 3 years.

30 to 65 Years Old

Once you turn 30, you have 3 options for cervical cancer screening:

1. Pap test every 3 years
2. HPV test every 5 years
3. HPV/Pap co-test every 5 years

66 Years and Older

After turning 66, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you still need to undergo cervical cancer screening. If you’ve maintained regular screening without abnormal results, you may not need to continue screening. If you haven’t maintained regular screening, or you’ve recently received abnormal results, you may need ongoing screening.

Exceptions to Screening Guidelines

Certain people may require more frequent cervical cancer screening, such as those who:

• Have a weakened immune system
• Have had a transplant
• Are on immunosuppressive medications
• Are HIV-positive
• Recently had an abnormal cervical test screening or biopsy result
• Have had cervical cancer or dysplasia (precancer) in the past
• Had exposure before birth to a medicine called diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was given to certain pregnant women in the 1970s

If you’ve undergone a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) for any reason unrelated to cancer or abnormal cervical cells, you may not need a cervical cancer screening. If your hysterectomy was related to cancer or precancer or you had an abnormal Pap test in the past, your healthcare provider can recommend additional screening tests.

What Happens If I Receive an Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Test  Result?

The purpose of cervical cancer screening is to stay on top of your cervical health. By maintaining regular screenings, you reduce your chances of ever developing cancer.

However, abnormal results do occur, but they aren’t a reason to panic – and they don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. In fact, most people who receive abnormal cervical cancer screening results have:

• Early changes in cells that require monitoring and often go away on their own
• Early cell changes that require treatment to prevent cancer from developing
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Abnormal HPV Test Results

HPV tests look for signs of high-risk HPV types in cervical cells. An abnormal (or positive) result means high-risk HPV was detected.

Abnormal Pap Test Results

Pap tests look for abnormal cervical cells. An abnormal (or positive) result means some cells appear different from normal cells. There are a range of reasons you might have abnormal cervical cells, such as:

• HPV infection
• Irritation
• Yeast infection
• Growths, such as polyps
• Hormonal changes
• Precancer
• Cancer

Follow-Up Testing

After an abnormal HPV or Pap test, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Repeating testing in the future
• Biopsy (removal of cells for further testing) or colposcopy (a test to take a closer look at the vagina and cervix)
• Treatment to remove or destroy abnormal cervical cells that have a high probability of turning into cancer

Are There Low or No-Cost Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Options?

Routine cervical cancer screening and treatment are typically covered by health insurance. If you don’t have insurance or are unable to afford costs related to cervical cancer screening or treatment, there are resources available to lessen the financial burden and allow you to get the care you need.

Cervical cancer screening and treatment resources include:

• No-cost Pap tests through the Louisiana Breast & Cervical Health Program (LBCHP), including financial support for transportation to screenings
• Clinical trials, which offer the latest approaches to cervical cancer treatment, sometimes at no cost

Cervical cancer screening is crucial in preventing cervical cancer from developing or advancing. At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, our caring and knowledgeable providers are committed to helping you prioritize your cervical health through screenings and treatment. Together, we can make cervical health a priority and work towards a future free from cervical cancer.