By the way, doctor: Do I need a Pap test after hysterectomy?

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

By the way, doctor: Do I need a Pap test after hysterectomy?

Print Email SHARE

By the way, doctor

Do I need a Pap test after hysterectomy?

Q. I had a hysterectomy in my 50s. Do I still need to have Pap tests?

A. It depends on why the hysterectomy was performed and whether your cervix was removed during the procedure. If you had an abdominal hysterectomy and the surgeon didn't remove your cervix, you'll need to continue having Pap tests on a schedule determined by your age and risk for cervical cancer. If your cervix was removed during hysterectomy for a benign condition, such as fibroids or endometriosis, you don't need further Pap tests. But if you had a hysterectomy because of cervical, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, your clinician will need to continue Pap tests to monitor for any changes in your vaginal tissues.

Screening with a Pap test can detect abnormal cervical cells at an early stage, before they become cancerous. The test is performed during a pelvic exam. A clinician inserts a speculum into the vagina to part the vaginal walls and uses a tiny spatula or brush to gather cells from the cervix and endocervical canal, where most cervical cancers arise (see illustration above). The cells are placed on a slide or into a solution and sent to a laboratory for analysis. If a woman's cervix has been removed during hysterectomy for cervical cancer, the clinician will examine the vaginal tissue and obtain cells from the hysterectomy suture site.

How often do I need a Pap test?

Annually, starting within three years of the onset of sexual activity, or by age 21, whichever occurs first. If three consecutive tests are negative, Pap tests can be performed every 2–3 years at the clinician's discretion.
Annually, if you are at high risk for cervical cancer. This includes women who smoke, have had multiple sexual partners, or are infected with HIV or HPV (human papilloma virus).
You may not need routine Pap tests after age 65 or 70. However, more than 25% of cases of invasive cervical cancer are found in this age group — usually in women who stopped having Pap tests after menopause. Consequently, women who don't know whether they've had negative Pap tests, have never been screened, or fall into a high-risk category should continue Pap test screening until three tests in a row are negative.

Print Email Twitter Facebook MySpace AIM More

Last updated:	September 05, 2008

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.