Cervical Cancer Screening

Summary

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. Cancer screening is looking for cancer before you have any symptoms. Cancer found early may be easier to treat.

Cervical cancer screening is usually part of a woman’s health checkup. There are two types of tests: the Pap test and the HPV test. For both, the doctor or nurse collects cells from the surface of the cervix. With the Pap test, the lab checks the sample for cancer cells or abnormal cells that could become cancer later. With the HPV test, the lab checks for HPV infection. HPV is a virus that spreads through sexual contact. It can sometimes lead to cancer. If your screening tests are abnormal, your doctor may do more tests, such as a biopsy.

Cervical cancer screening has risks. The results can sometimes be wrong, and you may have unnecessary follow-up tests. There are also benefits. Screening has been shown to decrease the number of deaths from cervical cancer. You and your doctor should discuss your risk for cervical cancer, the pros and cons of the screening tests, at what age to start being screened, and how often to be screened.

National Cancer Institute

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find a Screening Provider Near You Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• Cervical cancer — screening and prevention Medical Encyclopedia
• HPV test Medical Encyclopedia
• Pap smear Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Cervical Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute
• Get Screened for Cervical Cancer Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• HPV and Pap Test Results: Next Steps after an Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Test National Cancer Institute
• What Should I Know about Screening? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Papanicolaou Test National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Vaginal Smears National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Colposcopy National Library of Medicine
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test National Library of Medicine
• Pap Smear National Library of Medicine
• Screening for Cervical Cancer U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
• Understanding Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Results American Academy of Family Physicians

Encyclopedia

• Colposcopy – directed biopsy Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute

Statistics and Research

• FastStats: Pap Tests National Center for Health Statistics
• Some Older Women Are Not Getting Recommended Cervical Cancer Screenings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• How a Tablet Computer and Mobile Van are Improving Cancer Detection
• How Fashion Designer Liz Lange Beat Cervical Cancer

Related Issues

• I Had a Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need to See My Ob-Gyn? Do I Still Need Pap Tests? American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m a Virgin? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Teenagers

• Pap Smears Nemours Foundation

Images

• Pap Test National Cancer Institute

Journal Articles

• Cervical Cancer Screening