Pap Tests and I

Pap Tests and I

Even though I am young,
or I am a virgin,
or I have had the HPV vaccine,
I may still need regular Pap tests.

Even though I have only had sex once,
or I am not having sex now,
or I have not had sex for years,
I may still need regular Pap tests.

Even though I have only had one sex partner,
or only same sex partners,
I may still need regular Pap tests.

Even though I have had a partial hysterectomy,
or a total hysterectomy,
or a cancer-related hysterectomy,
I may still need regular Pap tests.

Even though I have stopped having children
or been through menopause,
I may still need regular Pap tests until
I am 65 years of age, younger or older.

It may therefore be in my best interest to
choose to check what’s-what for me.

Meno Martha

Umbrella

What may the Pap Tests and I Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this umbrella may include:

  • Cervical Screening Test
  • Pap Smear
  • Pap Smear Test
  • Pap Test
  • Smear Test

Start. Frequency. Stop.

Can when to start, the frequency and when to stop Pap tests, vary?

Yes. Depending on You (DoY), DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s (DoYC’s) cervical cancer screening program, when to start, the frequency and when to stop Pap tests, can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

Young

If I am young, do I still need regular Pap tests?

DoY, DotS and/or DoYC’s  cervical cancer screening program, when you start having regular Pap tests can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you in your country.

For the United States, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) note in Cervical Cancer Screening: When To Get Screened for Cervical Cancer – Age 21-29 Years:

“If you are in this age group, USPSTF recommends getting your first Pap test at age 21, followed by Pap testing every 3 years. Even if you are sexually active, you do not need a Pap test before age 21”.1

What is USPSTF?

USPSTF can be an abbreviation for the United States Preventative Services Task Force.

Virgin

Do I still need regular Pap Tests if I’m a virgin?

In Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m A Virgin? the (United Sates) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Yes. Doctors recommend routine cervical cancer screening, regardless of your sexual history. Tests used to screen for cervical cancer include the Pap test and the HPV test. Your doctor can help you understand whether one or both of these tests is best for you”.2

Different Differences

Do I still need regular Pap Tests if I have different differences?

In Who Should Get A Cervical Screening Test? Should You Have A Cervical Screening Test? the (Australian) National Cervical Screening Program explain:

Pap Tests and I“It makes no difference if you:

  • Are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight
  • Have had the HPV vaccination or not
  • Are no longer sexually active
  • Have been through menopause
  • Have been with only one sexual partner
  • Have experienced traditional cutting or circumcision
  • Have had a baby
  • Are pregnant (ensure to let your health care professional know)”.3

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Intersex+

If I am lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex+, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In About Cervical Screening: Cervical Screening FAQs – Should LGBT+ People With A Cervix Go for Cervical Screening the (United Kingdom) Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust elaborate on:

“All women and people with a cervix between age 25 and 64 can go for regular cervical screening, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Most cervical cell changes and cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with HPV. As HPV can be passed on through any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, anyone having any kind of sex is at risk of getting it”.4

HPV Vaccine

If I have had the HPV vaccine, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer – Screening and Early Detection: HPV Vaccine the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health note:

“If you have been vaccinated for HPV, it’s still important to get regular cervical screening tests. While the HPV vaccine is highly effective, it doesn’t prevent all HPV infections”.5

Stopped Having Children

If I have stopped having children, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer according to the American Cancer Society (ACS):

“Some people believe that they can stop cervical cancer screening once they have stopped having children. This is not true”.6

Partial Hysterectomy

If I have had a partial hysterectomy, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In Who Should Get A Cervical Screening Test? Should You Have A Cervical Screening Test? the National Cervical Screening Program explain:

“If you have had a full or partial hysterectomy, please check with your doctor about screening”.7

Total Hysterectomy

If I have had a total hysterectomy, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Maybe. You will still need regular Pap tests (or Pap smear) to screen for cervical cancer if you:

  • Did not have your cervix removed
  • Had a hysterectomy because of cancer or precancer

Ask your doctor what is best for you and how often you should have Pap tests”.8

Diethylstilbestrol

If my mother took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) while she was pregnant with me, do I still need regular Pap tests?

In Cervical Cancer Screening: When To Get Screened for Cervical Cancer – Exceptions To the Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines the NCI note:

“Your health care provider may recommend more frequent screening if you…

  • Were exposed before birth to a medicine called diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was prescribed to some pregnant women through the mid 1970s”.9

Other Conditions

What if I need more regular Pap tests?

In The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer: Considerations for Other Patient Populations according to the ACS:

“Those who are at high risk of cervical cancer because of a suppressed immune system (for example from HIV infection, organ transplant, or long-term steroid use) or because they were exposed to DES in utero may need to be screened more often. They should follow the recommendations of their health care team”.10

HPV Test

What is a HPV test?

In The HPV Test the ACS elaborate on:

“The most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Doctors can test for the high-risk HPV types that are most likely to cause cervical cancer by looking for pieces of their DNA in cervical cells. The test can be done by itself (primary HPV test) or at the same time as a Pap test (called a co-test). You won’t notice a difference in your exam if you have both tests done”.11

Symptoms

What if I think I have symptoms?

In Cervical Screening: When Do I Start Screening? the (Australian) Cancer Council note:

“Cancer Council recommends that women of any age who have symptoms (including pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge) should see their doctor immediately”.12

Stop

Can when to stop Pap tests, vary?

Yes. Depending on You (DoY), DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s (DoYC’s) cervical cancer screening program, when to stop Pap tests, can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

In Pap Smear: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? the Mayo Clinic explain:

“In certain situations a woman and her doctor may decide to end Pap testing, such as…:

  • After a total hysterectomy…
  • Older age. Doctors generally agree that women can consider stopping routine Pap testing at age 65 if their previous tests for cervical cancer have been negative”.13

Health Care Provider

What if I am unsure whether I still need Pap tests?

In Pap Smear: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? the Mayo Clinic also note:

“Discuss your options with your doctor and together you can decide what’s best for you based on your risk factors. If you’re sexually active with multiple partners, your doctor may recommend continuing Pap testing”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Pap Tests and I?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted:

Sources

  1. Cervical Cancer Screening: When To Get Screened for Cervical Cancer – Age 21-29 Years. Updated: 17 May 2024. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/pap-hpv-testing-fact-sheet#q4 Accessed: 09 June 2024
  2. Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m A Virgin? 04 May 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/expert-answers/pap-smear/faq-20057782 Accessed: 09 June 2024
  3. Who Should Get A Cervical Screening Test? Should You Have A Cervical Screening Test? Date Last Updated: 16 August 2023. National Cervical Screening Program https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-cervical-screening-program/getting-a-cervical-screening-test/who-should-get-a-cervical-screening-test Accessed: 09 June 2024
  4. About Cervical Screening: Cervical Screening FAQs – Should LGBT+ People With A Cervix Go for Cervical Screening. Date Last Updated: 31 May 2022. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/what-is-cervical-screening Accessed: 09 June 2024
  5. Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer – Screening and Early Detection: HPV Vaccine. Last Updated: 08 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 14 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/cervical-cancer Accessed: 09 June 2024
  6. The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer. Last Revised: 22 April 2021. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html Accessed: 09 June 2024
  7. Who Should Get A Cervical Screening Test? Should You Have A Cervical Screening Test? Date Last Updated: 16 August 2023. National Cervical Screening Program https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-cervical-screening-program/getting-a-cervical-screening-test/who-should-get-a-cervical-screening-test Accessed: 09 June 2024
  8. Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022.  Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/hysterectomy?from=AtoZ Accessed: 09 June 2024
  9. Cervical Cancer Screening: Cervical Cancer Screening: When To Get Screened for Cervical Cancer – Exceptions To the Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines. Updated: 17 May 2024. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/pap-hpv-testing-fact-sheet#q4 Accessed: 09 June 2024
  10. The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer: Considerations for Other Patient Populations. Last Revised: 22 April 2021. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html Accessed: 09 June 2024
  11. The HPV Test. Last Revised: 30 July 2020. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests/hpv-test.html Accessed: 09 June 2024
  12. Cervical Screening: When Do I Start Screening? Cancer Council https://www.cancer.org.au/cervicalscreening/i-am-over-25/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-the-test/when-do-i-start-screening Accessed: 09 June 2024
  13. Pap Smear: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? 18 June 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-20394841 Accessed: 09 June 2024
  14. Pap Smear: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? 18 June 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-20394841 Accessed: 09 June 2024
Topic Last Updated: 24 June 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 June 2024

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