Review the cervical cancer age guidelines below. Make an appointment with your gynecologist for a well-woman’s health check if you fall within the age ranges mentioned or if you experience any early signs or symptoms of cervical cancer.

Beginning at age 21, or 3 years after you become sexually active, get screened.

Have a Pap test and Pelvic exam at least once every three years.

If you are sexually active, check with your health professional about having an HPV screening test. This test looks for the Human Papillomavirus which can cause unwanted cell changes in your body.

Because the (HPV) vaccine is now available to both men and women up to the age of 45, it will help reduce risks of cervical cancer exposure by working against nine different types of Human papillomavirus (HPV).

Things you need to do:

• It’s important to talk to your doctor about a new cervical cancer test that has women in certain circumstances collect their own vaginal sample to test for this cancer. Studies have shown that self-collected samples are very good at detecting high-risk HPV when compared to clinician-collected samples.
• Practice safe sex.
• Get regular doc-checs.