5 Reasons You Should Prioritize Your Pap Test

Content medically reviewed by Colleen Evans, DO

In today's fast-paced world, it's understandable that you might want to push important health checks to the sidelines. When cancer detection is on the line, you should think twice before postponing. A Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, plays a significant role in prevention and the early detection of cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that almost every sexually active person will encounter at some point in their lives,” said Dr. Colleen Evans, gynecologic oncologist at Essentia Health. “Because HPV is so common, it’s critical to get these screenings regularly.”

A Pap test is performed in your gynecologist or primary care provider’s office as part of a pelvic exam. It’s quick, easy, and can provide you peace of mind. Here are five other reasons you shouldn’t skip this screening.

1. You Can Protect Your Health by Preventing Cervical Cancer.

Pap tests are instrumental in the early detection of cancer. This cervical cancer screening test identifies any precancerous or abnormal cells in the cervix, which can be treated before they progress into cancer. As a result, routine screenings have contributed to a significant decrease in cervical cancer cases and related mortality rates over the years.

According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths have declined by more than 50% in the past four decades, a decrease mainly attributed to the Pap test.

2. Early Detection Makes Cervical Cancer Easier to Treat.

“A Pap test can reveal changes in cervical cells at a stage when preventive measures are most effective,” Evans said. “Detecting these changes early often means simpler, less invasive treatments, and a brighter outlook for long-term health. By keeping up with regular screenings, you're empowering yourself with knowledge and control over your health.”

3. Early Cervical Cancer Usually Doesn’t Have Symptoms You Can Detect on Your Own.

Many women might skip their Pap test because they feel like they don’t have any signs of cervical cancer, but that’s not a safe move. In most cases, early-stage cervical cancer doesn’t have symptoms.

As the cancer progresses, you might experience –

• Abdominal pain
• Post menopausal bleeding
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Bleeding in between periods
• Blood in the urine or during bowel movements
• Feeling tired
• Leg swelling
• Painful or difficult urination or bowel movements
• Persistent mild back pain

4. Pap Tests Are Nothing to be Afraid of.

A Pap test is quick, straightforward, and usually painless. Understanding what happens during the test may help you ease any anxiety you have.

“If you’re nervous or uncomfortable about having a Pap test, let your provider know,” Evans said. “They can explain what they’re doing step by step, which can help relieve your concerns.”

During the test, you'll lie back on an exam table and your healthcare provider inserts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The provider gently collects cells from your cervix using a soft brush. The cells that are collected on the brush are placed in a container that is sent to a lab, and the Pap test results are provided back to your provider within a few days.

5. It's a Necessary Health Investment.

Is it OK to skip a Pap smear? No. Missing regular Pap smears can increase your risk of cervical cancer going undetected. Is a Pap smear really necessary? Absolutely. Pap tests play an irreplaceable role in preventive health care for women.

Women between the ages of 21 and 65 need regular Pap tests. The American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology suggests these guidelines –

Ages 21–29: You should have a Pap test for abnormal cells every three years.

Ages 30–65:  During these years, it is recommended you have testing for abnormal cells as well as HPV every 5 years.

After age 65, talk with your provider about whether you need to continue cervical cancer screenings. If you’ve regularly had screenings and the results have been normal, your provider may say you no longer need the tests.

“Prioritizing your Pap test is a powerful step in taking charge of your health journey,” Evans said. “It not only helps detect potential issues early, but it also provides peace of mind.”