Cervical Cancer Screening
Find easy access to cervical cancer screenings at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated cancer center. Ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for cancer care according to U.S. News & World Report, We also host convenient screening events throughout the community.
Cervical Cancer Screening Program
When you get regular screenings for cervical cancer, you reduce your risk for cervical and other gynecologic cancers. We offer cervical cancer screenings in a state-of-the-art cancer setting. For your convenience, we also offer screenings at locations near you throughout the community on evenings and weekends for increased access to care.
Cervical Cancer Screening Navigators
To help patients navigate cervical cancer screening and follow-up testing, we offer patient navigators and representatives from our Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) Program. Patient navigators and BOLD volunteers provide support and follow up with people throughout the screening process and help address barriers to accessing care.
About Cervical Cancer Prevention & Screenings
Women of any age can develop cervical cancer. There are steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer, including:
- Get a Pap test (Pap smear) regularly starting at age 21
- Eat a healthy diet
- Use condoms when having sex
- Know about your sexual partner’s health
- Don’t smoke
Regular screening with a Pap test or human papillomavirus (HPV) test is an important part of gynecologic care and cervical cancer prevention. Screening recommendations vary by age. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends:
- Women aged 21-29 should receive a Pap test every three years
- Women aged 30-65 should be screened for cervical cancer using one of three methods:
- An HPV test every five years
- An HPV/Pap co-test every five years
- A Pap test every three years
Screening frequency will also depend on your Pap or HPV test results.
High Risk for Cervical Cancer
Certain factors can put you at higher risk for developing cervical cancer. You may be at higher risk if you:
- Have a family history of cervical or other gynecologic cancers
- Started having sex when you were young (under age 17)
- Have or had six or more sexual partners
- Have HPV
- Are a current or former smoker
- Have not had yearly Pap smears
If you are at higher risk for cervical cancer, you may need earlier or more frequent cervical cancer screenings.
Cervical Screenings We Offer
Our Cancer Center offers two types of cervical cancer screening:
- Pap test. Also called a Pap smear, this test involves your doctor taking a sample of cells to check for abnormal cells under a microscope. If abnormal cells are present, your provider will recommend next steps.
- HPV test. HPV is a virus that can cause cervical and other types of cancers. During an HPV test, cells are collected and checked for infection with cancer-causing HPV cells.
Your Cervical Screening Results
We work quickly to evaluate cervical cancer screening tests.
Your care team will reach out to you directly when results are ready and, if needed, discuss any next steps. You can also review your results within Montefiore MyChart, our online patient portal.
If you do receive a cervical cancer diagnosis, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center offers comprehensive, advanced care for cervical and other gynecologic cancers.