Bonnie Roll, CNM, WHNP, Livingston HealthCare Clinic
As we recognize Women’s Health Month this May, it’s an important time to focus on preventative care and the proven impact routine screenings have on long‑term health. One screening in particular has played a major role in reducing cancer rates and saving lives: the Pap smear.
Pap smear testing is a routine, effective, and lifesaving screening. During the exam, cells are collected from the cervix and sent to a laboratory for evaluation. This process allows healthcare providers to identify abnormal cell changes, known as dysplasia, before they progress into cervical cancer. When caught early, these changes can be treated, stopping cancer before it starts.
Cervical cancer often develops without symptoms. Many people feel completely healthy, which makes regular screening especially important. Without Pap smear testing, abnormal cells can quietly develop over several years. With consistent screening, providers have the opportunity to intervene early and protect long‑term health.
Some people delay or avoid Pap smears because of concerns about discomfort or time. In reality, the test typically takes about 10 minutes and is not painful. For most patients, it is brief and straightforward. When abnormal cells are found, treatment can happen early—often long before cancer has the chance to develop.
Routine Pap smear screening begins at age 21. If results are normal, screening is recommended every three years. If results are abnormal, there are well‑established guidelines for follow‑up and treatment. Providers rely on decades of evidence and experience to safely and effectively monitor or treat abnormal cervical cells, reducing the risk of cancer.
After age 30, Pap smears are generally done every five years and include co‑testing for HPV, or human papillomavirus. HPV causes approximately 99% of cervical cancers. It is common, often silent, and highly detectable through screening.
Fortunately, HPV is not only identifiable—it is preventable. The HPV vaccine, commonly known as Gardasil, provides protection against nine types of HPV, including those most frequently linked to cervical cancer. The vaccine can begin as early as age 10. When started before age 15, only two doses are needed; when started later, three doses are recommended. Together, routine screening and vaccination offer powerful protection.
With effective screening and prevention options available, cervical cancer is now one of the most preventable cancers. Yet prevention only works when screenings happen on schedule. Waiting until symptoms appear—or putting off appointments—can mean missing the window where early treatment makes the greatest difference.
Women’s Health Month is a helpful reminder to check when your last Pap smear was performed. If it has been more than three years, or more than five years after age 30, now is the time to schedule an appointment. Staying current with preventive screenings is one of the most meaningful steps that can be taken to support long‑term health.
A small amount of time today can provide protection for years to come. Preventive care works. Screenings matter. And getting them done on time—rather than putting them off—can make all the difference.