Healthcare professionals use two tests to screen for cervical dysplasia or the presence of HPV infection of the cervix:
- The Pap test involves collecting cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to look for abnormalities.
- The HPV test similarly involves collecting cells from the cervix, but checks for the virus itself rather than abnormal cells.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 25 to 65 get a primary HPV test — one that’s approved for stand-alone use, without a Pap test — every five years.
As part of cervical cancer screening, samples that you collect without a healthcare professional present, whether at home or in a private clinic, are now usable for HPV testing in line with 2025 ACS guidelines. This still needs to be requested by a healthcare professional and should take place every three years. However, the ACS recommends that a healthcare professional collect a sample every five years because clinician-collected samples are still preferable.
If a primary HPV test is unavailable, the ACS recommends obtaining a Pap test along with an HPV test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years.
The ACS guidelines are similar to those of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which recommends Pap tests every three years through age 29 and HPV testing every five years starting at 30 years of age in women with a healthy immune system and average risk of cervical cancer.
If you’re not sure which type of screening is right for you, speak to your doctor. The most important step is to undergo screening so that a medical professional can identify and address potential health problems early.
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