Cervical cancer screening is a critical screening in women that checks for abnormal cells in the cervix that could become cancerous. Screening may include Pap tests and testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine is a proactive intervention to minimize the risks of contracting the virus, which can lead to cervical cancer. A reminder that both HPV vaccines and Cervical cancer screenings are recommended for preventative care services at the appropriate age. The successful administration of the vaccine does not affect the need for cervical screenings.
Clinical Guidelines
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)[1] recommends the following guidelines based on a patient’s age and health history:
| Age Range | Screening Recommendation |
| 21-29 | Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing alone can be considered for women 25-29, but Pap tests are preferred. |
| 30-65 | Choose one of three options:
|
| 65+ | Screening is not needed if the patient has no history of cervical changes. |
Clinical guidelines for the HPV vaccine are provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which recommends starting the series between 9 and 12 years, encouraging pediatricians to introduce the HPV vaccine at an earlier age to achieve higher completion rates.[2]
Best Practices
- Document dates and results of screenings and include findings through corresponding billing and coding.
- Emphasize the importance of screenings as cancer prevention and provide educational materials.
- Utilize the gaps in care list available in the Provider Portal to perform targeted outreach.
- Establish a system to check immunization status ahead of all visits.
Health Education and Resources
Health education materials are available through the CenCal Health Online Health Library.
Review CenCal Health’s award-winning “Know More: HPV” member educational videos: