Your Partner in Women’s Health
The Pap test is a cervical cancer screening tool that may be the right test for some women.
But another test may give your healthcare team a clearer picture of your possible risk for cervical cancer. Two leading medical organizations* report that a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can be used alone instead of using the Pap test alone or using the 2 tests combined in certain women 25 years or older.
• Some types of HPV cause cancer
• Cervical cancer is almost always caused by HPV infection
• Two HPV types (types 16 and 18) are associated with most cervical cancers
• HPV infection is very
common in women
• Many HPV infections do
not cause problems. They
usually clear up without
any treatment within 2 years
from when they started.
• A small number of infections
with certain types of HPV
can last longer and lead to
cancer. That’s why ongoing
screening is important.
Use the table below to discuss with your healthcare team how the information in this table may apply to you.
What is your age? Whether to have the HPV test or the Pap test
If you are 25 years or older Have the HPV test as part of your cervical cancer screening, as long as it’s been 3 years since your last negative Pap test
If you are younger than 25 years Continue to have a Pap test alone starting at age 21, and then switch to the HPV test alone at 25 years, as long as it’s been 3 years since your last negative Pap test
If you have had the HPV test What to do
If your HPV test is positive for HPV types other than types 16 and 18
If your HPV test is negative
Have a Pap test to help your healthcare team determine your risk for future disease
Get retested in 3 years (the same as if your Pap test was normal)
In this case, the HPV test replaces the Pap test in women 25 years and older
If your HPV test is positive for HPV types
16 and 18
Have a colposcopy (a test that allows your healthcare team to examine your cervix)
* To learn more, visit these Web sites:
Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) https://www.sgo.org/cervical-cancer
The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) http://www.asccp.org
This patient educational tool is supported by an independent educational grant from Roche Diagnostics.
!
Talk with your healthcare team about getting screened.