Screening

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. Two tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early—

• The Pap test (or Pap smear) helps find precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
• The HPV test checks for the virus that can cause these cell changes on the cervix. It may be used to screen for cervical cancer, with the Pap test, in women aged 30 years and older. It also may be used to provide more information when a Pap test has unclear results.

Currently, there is no routine screening test recommended for other HPV-related health effects, such as genital warts or other HPV-associated cancers (cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis,  and oropharnyx). The Pap test does not screen for cancers other than cervical cancer.

Although there is no routine screening test for other HPV-associated diseases, you should visit your doctor regularly for checkups.

Read More: Cervical Cancer Screening

Fact Sheets and Brochures

• Common Infection. Common Reality. Brochures (in multiple languages)
• What Women Should Know Before They Get a Pap and HPV Test *
• What Women with a Positive HPV Test Result Should Know *
• Making Sense of Your Pap and HPV Test Results Brochure

* This content is currently under revision. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Genital HPV - Infection: Fact Sheet (en español) and the HPV Vaccine Questions & Answers Page