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Can Cervical Cancer Be Found Early?
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In women and other individuals with a cervix, getting regular screening tests is the best way to find cervical cancer early or prevent it by finding cervical precancer.
The tests used for cervical cancer screening are:
- The HPV test: A test that looks for signs of certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with HPV.
- The Pap test: A test that looks for changes in the way cervical cells look.
These tests can be done alone or at the same time (called a co-test). The HPV test is preferred for cervical cancer screening because it’s more likely to find precancers (changes in the cervix that could become cancer). But the Pap test is an acceptable option if the HPV test, or a co-test, isn’t available.
Regular screening has been shown to prevent cervical cancers and save lives. The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly, no matter which test you get.
Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment of precancers and cancer. Being aware of any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid delays in diagnosis.
For more details on using the HPV test and the Pap test to find cervical cancer early, see the American Cancer Society Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening.
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- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Eifel P, Klopp AH, Berek JS, Konstantinopoulos A. Cancer of the Cervix, Vagina, and Vulva. In: DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, eds. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg’s Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.
Fontham, ETH, Wolf, AMD, Church, TR, et al. Cervical Cancer Screening for Individuals at Average Risk: 2020 Guideline Update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21628.
Jhungran A, Russell AH, Seiden MV, Duska LR, Goodman A, Lee S, et al. Chapter 84: Cancers of the Cervix, Vulva, and Vagina. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020.
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Perkins, R.B., Wolf, A.M.D., Church, T.R., et al. Self‐collected vaginal specimens for human papillomavirus testing and guidance on screening exit: An update to the American Cancer Society cervical cancer screening guideline. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.70041
Sawaya GF, Smith-McCune K, Kuppermann M. Cervical Cancer Screening: More Choices in 2019. JAMA. 2019;321(20):2018–2019. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.4595
Schiffman M, Castle PE, Jeronimo J, Rodriguez AC, Wacholder S. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. Lancet. 2007;370:890-907.
Last Revised: December 4, 2025
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