Pap Smear Needed Even with HPV Vaccine

HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines that are often recommended to help prevent infections related to cervical and other cancers should not discourage women from also getting a Pap test.

Women should continue to be screened, even if they received a HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine can detect most types of HPV that cause cancer, but not all of them. This vaccine is intended to reduce the risk of cancer, but it does not eliminate the need for screening.

Unless you have a history of cancer, precancerous lesions, immune deficiency, or other risks, screening with a Pap test is recommended every three years between ages 21 and 65. For women over age 30, there is an option of combining a Pap test with HPV testing. In this case, screening may be done every five years.