Recommendations of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in agreement with the American Cancer Society and the U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

i)First Screening: This should be done approximately 3 years after first sexual intercourse or by age 21, whichever comes first.

ii)Women up to the age of 30- The recommendation for this age group is to screen annually.

iii)Women aged 30 years or older- Screening for this age group should be every 2 to 3 years, if three consecutive annual cervical cytology results are negative or if combined cervical cytology testing and high risk HPV testing are negative.

However screening should be more frequent in patients with a positive pap smear or positive high-risk HPV test, HIV infection, immunosuppression, previous history of cervical cancer and DES exposure.

iv)Women with hysterectomy: Routine screening for cervical cancer should be discontinued if the uterus was removed for benign reasons and there is no history of  abnormal or cancerous cell growth. However if there is a history of abnormal cell growth, she should be screened annually, and should be discontinued if three consecutive vaginal cytology tests are negative.

v) Older Women: The American Cancer Society recommends that screening should be discontinued in women after 70 years of age if three consecutive pap tests are negative and Pap smear results in the prior 10 years have been negative. However the society also recommends continued screening in healthy women if there is a history of cervical cancer,HIV infection, DES exposure in utero, HIV infection or a weak immune system.

References:

Pages 435 to 437. The Female Genetalia, Chapter 12. Bates Guide toPhysical Examination and History Taking.

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