Screening for cervical cancer includes HPV testing and Pap Smear Screening. Every woman should have regular Pap tests starting at age 21 or three years after becoming sexually active, even if she has had an HPV vaccine. If you are 30 or older and have been sexually active for 10 years or more, you should also get an HPV test every five years. If you are age 26 or younger, you should get an HPV test along with your first Pap test.

Cervical cancer screening aims to find areas of significant precancerous cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia) and treat them before they become invasive cervical cancer. Early detection is key, and for a long time, Pap tests were the only tool available for cervical cancer screening.

Despite the availability of an effective screening tool in the form of the Pap test, cervical cancer remains prevalent in parts of the world.