When Should I Have a Pap Test?
When should I start?
- About 3 years after beginning to have sex
- No later than age 21, even if you are not having sex.
How often?
- At least once every 3 years. Depending on the results, your doctor may suggest getting tested more often than that.
When should I stop?
- If you are 65 years old or older, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should keep having Pap tests. Your doctor will tell you how often you should get one. This will depend on the results of your previous tests.
- If you had a "total hysterectomy" (pronounced hiss-ter- EK-toe-mee), you do not need a Pap test. However, you should have the Pap test if the surgery was done to treat pre-cancer.
| A total hysterectomy is the removal of both the uterus and cervix. Some women may not know what type of hysterectomy they had. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor to find out if you still need a Pap test. |
| Consuelo: My husband died 15 years ago. Do I still have to get a Pap test? |
 Doctor Vargas: "Yes, because you can have cervical cancer even if you are not currently having sex." |
| Consuelo: I am a grandmother. I do not get my period anymore. Do I have to get a Pap test anyway? |
 Nurse Vivian: "Yes, because cervical cancer can appear after menopause." |
