Who Needs a Pap Smear?
The American Cancer Society recommends that screening should start at age 25. Some women may be at increased risk for cancer or infection. You may need more frequent tests if:
- You're HIV-positive
- You have a weakened immune system from chemotherapy or an organ transplant
If you're over 25 and have not had abnormal Pap tests, ask your doctor about having one every five years if the test is combined with a human papillomavirus (HPV) screening. Current guidelines recommend that people between the ages of 25 and 65 should have an HPV test every five years.
