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.   

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.  

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.  

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.

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 advanced care for cervical and other gynecologic cancers.