What you need to know

The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals with a cervix be screened for cervical cancer. No referral is necessary. You can schedule this important screening yourself. Whether you go to a primary care provider or an OB/GYN for your cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), it’s important to make your appointment. Schedule it today!

The cervix is a tubular structure located at the lowest part of the uterus, that serves as the connection between the uterus and the vagina. The superior portion is the opening to the uterus, that dilates during childbirth. It is composed of fibromuscular and glandular tissue.

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix. Most cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This virus is common, but it does not necessarily lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings with Pap smears and HPV tests to find any precancers and treat them. It can also be prevented by receiving the HPV vaccine as early as the preteen years and up to age 26.

Cervical cancer screening is a preventive procedure to detects cells that have the potential to become cancerous, are precancerous or that are already cancerous. There are two tests to help prevent cervical cancer or to find it early:

  • The Pap smear looks for precancerous cell changes on the cervix.
  • The HPV (human papillomavirus) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. The most important thing you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated for HPV early (as a pre-teen or before age 26) and have regular screening smears (Pap smear). The HPV Vaccine has also been approved by the FDA in women through age 45. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover this vaccine if you are older than age 26. You can get the HPV vaccine even if you have had a positive HPV test in the past.

You should start getting Pap smears at age 21. If your result is normal, your healthcare provider may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap smear.

When you’re between the ages of 30 and 65, your healthcare provider will talk with you about testing options:

  • A Pap smear only. If your result is normal, your healthcare provider may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap smear.
  • An HPV test along with the Pap smear. Also called co-testing. If both results are normal, your healthcare provider may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening.

When you’re 65 or older, your healthcare provider may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if:

  • Your screening test results have been normal for several years, or
  • You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions.

Please note that even if you are informed that you do not need further Pap smear screens, routine pelvic exams are still important.

Both the Pap smear and the HPV test can be done in the clinic. During a pelvic exam, the healthcare provider will use an instrument called a speculum, to slightly widen your vagina, to visually examine the vagina and the cervix. They will then insert a small brush to collect a few cells and mucus from your cervix. The cells are sent to a laboratory.

Schedule your smear for a time that’s not during your period. The best time is 10 to 14 days after the first day of your period, or at least 5 days after the end of your period.

For the two days before your scheduled screening:

  • You should not douche or rinse the vagina with water or another fluid.
  • You should not use a tampon.
  • You should not have sex.
  • You should not use a birth control foam, cream, or jelly.
  • You should not use any medicine or cream in your vagina.

How can I be screened for cervical cancer at Winona Health?

Schedule an appointment with one of these healthcare providers:

Click a button below to learn about our providers and how to schedule.