Do You Need a Pap Test? A Guide to Screening Frequency by Age

Lorena Tinoco, MD Blog Do You Need a Pap Test? A Guide to Screening Frequency by Age
Do You Need a Pap Test? A Guide to Screening Frequency by Age

You may never think about having a Pap test — also called a Pap smear — until your annual exam is on the calendar, or until you realize it’s been too long since your last screening. At Novel OBGYN in Coral Gables, Florida, Dr. Lorena Tinoco and Madelyn Gonzalez, MD, know you’re busy and understand that preventive care can easily slip way down on your to-do list.

But prioritizing cervical cancer screening is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Preventive care is the cornerstone of our array of services at Novel OBGYN. We emphasize regular wellness exams, Pap tests, and HPV screenings to help ensure that you stay informed about your health.

What does a Pap test check for?

A Pap smear is a simple screening that checks for abnormal cervical cells, and regular screenings aim to find these cells before they have the chance to grow into cancer. When caught early, these abnormal changes are treatable, which is why routine in-office screening plays such an important part in your gynecological care.

When you come in for your Pap test, your doctor takes a small sample of cells from your cervix and sends it off to a lab. The lab looks for anything abnormal, such as:

We also know many women dread this part of the visit. Our team gets that, so we move through it quickly, discreetly, and efficiently. You may feel some mild pressure for a brief moment, but the test doesn’t hurt.

How often should you get a Pap test?

Our team makes screening recommendations based on your age and health history. Knowing the general guidelines can help you stay on track.

Ages 21-29

In your twenties, you only need a Pap test every three years. Unless your lab work shows abnormal cells, your doctor won’t recommend HPV testing routinely.

Ages 30-65

You've got a few options during these decades: a Pap test every three years, HPV testing alone every five years, or both tests together every five years. Your doctor helps determine what makes the most sense for you based on your health history and risk factors.

Ages 65 and older

You may be able to stop having a Pap smear after age 65 if you’ve had consistently normal results and no history of significant cervical changes. Talk with Dr. Tinoco or Dr. Gonzalez to help make the decision about what’s right for you.

Do I still need a Pap test if I feel fine?

Unfortunately, cervical cancer diagnoses most often occur in women who haven't been screened in years, if ever. Feeling healthy doesn't necessarily mean everything is fine.

Cervical cancer grows slowly and takes years to develop, so regular screening gives our team the opportunity to catch and treat anything before it becomes a real problem.

Your annual visit at Novel OBGYN covers more than just the Pap test. Your doctor reviews your full screening history and performs a breast exam and pelvic exam if needed. It's also a good time to talk about birth control, period issues, fertility, or menopause symptoms. 

If you’re due for a Pap test or annual well-woman exam, contact Novel OBGYN by calling 305-477-5084.

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