What are the current guidelines for Pap smears?

As a healthcare professional with expertise in women's health, I can provide you with the current guidelines for Pap smears, also known as cervical cytology screening. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has specific recommendations for cervical cancer screening. According to the most recent guidelines: 1. Women **should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21** with cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years. 2. For women aged 30 to 65, the guidelines suggest that **screening with a combination of cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing** can be done every 5 years as an alternative to cytology alone. 3. Women **should not undergo screening before age 21**, regardless of their sexual history. 4. Women over 65 who have had sufficient negative screening tests and **no history of cervical pre-cancers or cancer** can discontinue screening. 5. Hysterectomy patients who have had the cervix removed and **have no history of a high-grade precancerous lesion or cervical cancer** do not need to undergo Pap smears. It's important to note that these guidelines are subject to change as new evidence emerges, and individual circumstances may lead healthcare providers to recommend different screening intervals.

The USPSTF recommends screening for cervical cancer in women age 21 to 65 years with cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years or, for women age 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a combination of cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years.