Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings with Pap tests and HPV tests to find any precancers and treat them. It can also be prevented by receiving the HPV vaccine.

The HPV vaccine Gardasil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV (see Risk Factors) for people between ages 9 and 45. Gardasil 9 is available in the United States for preventing infection from HPV16, HPV18, and 5 other types of HPV linked with cancer. There were 2 other vaccines previously available in the United States: Cervarix and the original Gardasil. However, because of newer vaccines becoming available, these 2 are no longer available in the United States. However, these vaccines may still be in use outside of the United States.

To help prevent cervical cancer, ASCO recommends that girls receive HPV vaccination. Talk with a health care provider about the appropriate schedule for vaccination as it may vary based on many factors, including age, gender, and vaccine availability. Learn more about HPV vaccination and ASCO’s recommendations for preventing cervical cancer.

Additional actions people can take to help prevent cervical cancer include:

• Delaying first sexual intercourse until the late teens or older
• Limiting the number of sex partners
• Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams
• Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have had many partners
• Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who are infected with genital warts or who show other symptoms
• Quitting smoking

Different organizations have looked at the scientific evidence, risks, and benefits of cervical cancer screening. These groups have developed screening recommendations for women in the United States.

ASCO recommends that all women receive at least 1 HPV test to screen for cervical cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 25 to 65 should receive an HPV test once every 5 years. Women 65 and older or women who have had a hysterectomy may stop screening if their HPV test results have been mostly negative over the previous 15 years. Sometimes, women who are 65 and older and who have tested positive for HPV may continue screening until they are 70.

Decisions about screening for cervical cancer are becoming increasingly individualized. Sometimes, screening may differ from the recommendations discussed above due to a variety of factors. Such factors include your personal risk factors and your health history. It’s important to talk with your health care team or a health care professional knowledgeable in cervical cancer screening about how often you should receive screening and which tests are most appropriate.

Here are some questions to ask a health care professional:

• At what age should I start being screened for cervical cancer?
• Should my screening include an HPV test? If so, how often?
• Why are you recommending these specific tests and this screening schedule for me?
• At what age could I stop being regularly screened for cervical cancer?
• Do any recommendations change if I have had cervical dysplasia or precancer?
• Do any recommendations change if I have HIV?
• Do any recommendations change if I have had a hysterectomy?
• Do any recommendations change if I am pregnant?
• Do any recommendations change if I have had the HPV vaccine?
• What happens if the screening shows positive or abnormal results?