Why Pap Smears Are Essential for Cervical Health

Pap smears are crucial for early detection of HPV and cervical cancer. They’re simple, quick tests that can catch changes in your cervix before they become serious.

The schedule:

  • Start at age 21: every 3 years 
  • Ages 30–65: every 5 years (often with HPV testing) 
  • After 65: discuss with your provider about discontinuation 

Pap smears detect:

  • HPV 
  • Abnormal or precancerous cells 
  • Cervical inflammation 
  • Rarely, early-stage cancer 

If you’ve had abnormal results in the past, your provider may recommend more frequent testing.