Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Regular screening can find cell changes before they become cancer, and HPV vaccination can help prevent the infections that cause most cervical cancers. Together, these tools give women powerful protection at different stages of life.
Most cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is very common, and in many cases, the body clears the infection on its own. When a high-risk HPV infection does not go away, it can lead to changes in cervical cells over time. If those changes are not found and treated, they may eventually develop into cervical cancer.
Prevention Starts with Understanding HPV
HPV is a group of viruses spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Some types of HPV are considered low-risk and can cause genital warts. Other types are high-risk because they are linked to cancer, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and some throat cancers. The National Cancer Institute notes that HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers, while other high-risk HPV types also contribute to cervical cancer risk.
Because HPV often has no symptoms, someone can have it without knowing. That is why routine screening matters. Cervical cancer prevention is not just about checking for cancer — it is about finding HPV or abnormal cervical cell changes early enough to prevent cancer from developing.
Pap Tests and HPV Tests: What’s the Difference?
The two main screening tools for cervical cancer are the Pap test and the HPV test. A Pap test, sometimes called a Pap smear, looks for abnormal or precancerous cell changes on the cervix. An HPV test looks for the virus that can cause those cell changes. Both tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.
For women ages 21 to 29, cervical cancer screening is generally done with a Pap test every three years if results are normal. HPV testing is not typically recommended as routine co-testing for women younger than 30. For women ages 30 to 65, current federal women’s preventive services guidance recommends primary high-risk HPV testing every five years as the preferred option, or Pap and HPV co-testing every five years. If HPV testing is unavailable, Pap testing alone every 3 years remains an option.
A common misconception is that women need a Pap test every year. For most women at average risk, annual Pap testing is not recommended. However, this does not mean skipping annual wellness visits. A yearly checkup is still important for reviewing overall health, vaccines, menstrual or menopause symptoms, sexual health, contraception, family history, and other preventive care needs.
What Happens if a Result Is Abnormal?
An abnormal Pap or HPV test result does not usually mean cancer. It often means that HPV or cervical cell changes were found and that more follow-up is needed. Depending on the result, a provider may recommend repeat testing, HPV genotyping, a closer examination of the cervix called colposcopy, or a biopsy. The CDC emphasizes that when abnormal or precancerous cells are found, appropriate follow-up and treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing in most cases.
The most important step after an abnormal result is to avoid delaying follow-up. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly, and timely evaluation gives providers the best opportunity to monitor or treat cell changes before they become serious.
HPV Vaccination: Cancer Prevention Before Exposure
HPV vaccination is another major tool in cervical cancer prevention. The CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination at ages 11 or 12, though vaccination can begin as early as age 9. Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not adequately vaccinated earlier.
Some adults aged 27 through 45 may also choose to get the HPV vaccine after talking with a health care provider. The vaccine offers less benefit for many adults in this age range because they may have already been exposed to HPV, but it can still be helpful for some people, depending on their risk for new HPV infection.
The HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections, but it does not treat existing HPV infections or cervical cell changes. That is why the vaccine works best when given before exposure to HPV, and why women who have been vaccinated still need cervical cancer screening according to their age and health history.
HPV vaccination is not only for girls. Vaccinating boys and young men also helps prevent HPV-related cancers, including anal, penile, and some throat cancers, and helps reduce the spread of HPV overall.
Screening After Age 65
Many women can stop routine cervical cancer screening after age 65 if they have had adequate normal screening results and do not have a history of cervical precancer or cervical cancer. The CDC notes that a provider may recommend stopping screening after age 65 if a woman has had three normal Pap tests or two normal HPV tests in the past 10 years, has no history of cervical precancer, or has had the cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons.
Women with a history of cervical cancer, high-grade precancerous changes, HIV, a weakened immune system, or certain other risk factors may need a different screening schedule. Anyone unsure about their screening history or hysterectomy status should ask a health care provider for recommendations.
A Newer Option: Self-Collected HPV Testing
Screening options are continuing to expand. In 2026, HRSA announced updated women’s preventive services guidelines that include self-collected high-risk HPV testing as an appropriate option for average-risk women ages 30 to 65. This option may help reduce barriers for women who avoid or delay screening because of discomfort, trauma history, transportation challenges, time constraints, or limited access to care.
Self-collection is not a replacement for follow-up care. If a self-collected HPV test is positive, additional testing may be needed to complete the screening process, such as cytology, colposcopy, biopsy, or other evaluation, depending on the result.
Reducing Risk Beyond Screening and Vaccination
Pap tests, HPV testing, and vaccination are the most important prevention tools, but other choices can also support cervical health. Not smoking is important because tobacco use increases cervical cancer risk and can make it harder for the immune system to fight HPV. Condoms can lower the risk of HPV transmission, though they do not eliminate the risk completely because HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom.
Women should also talk with a provider about any personal risk factors that may affect screening recommendations, including HIV, immunosuppressant medications, prior abnormal Pap or HPV results, a history of cervical precancer, or exposure to DES before birth.
The Bottom Line
Cervical cancer prevention is a success story in public health because it gives women multiple ways to lower their risk. HPV vaccination helps prevent the infections that cause most cervical cancers. Pap and HPV testing can find early warning signs before cancer develops. Follow-up care can treat abnormal changes before they become life-threatening.
The best prevention plan is simple: get vaccinated when recommended, follow the cervical cancer screening schedule that is right for your age and health history, and do not delay follow-up if a test result is abnormal. Regular preventive care gives women the strongest chance to stay healthy and catch concerns early.