Breast Cancer screening and Cervical Cancer screening are two of the most important ways for women to prevent cancer. Early detection can help make treatment more effective. We want to help you live a life as healthy and fruitful as possible.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Although we can’t prevent breast cancer, it can be treated effectively if caught early. Screening means routine testing to detect breast cancer when it is small and easiest to treat.

There are currently three methods of screening (testing) for breast cancer. They work best when used together:

1. Mammography: Specialized X-ray of the breast.
2. Clinical breast examination: Physical examination of the breast by your doctor or nurse practitioner.
3. Breast self-examination: Checking your own breasts for lumps or changes to the tissue.

What if I have symptoms?
If you have any symptoms, such as a new lump, nipple discharge, redness, or another change in your breast tissue, call your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately. Don’t wait to be screened. Most lumps are not cancer, but you do need to have them checked as soon as possible.

Most women are average risk. That means you do not have high risk factors and can follow the guidelines below:

Mammography Recommendations

1. Before age 40, there are no specific recommendations for screening mammograms since breast cancer is very rare at this age
2. Between ages 40–69, a mammogram is recommended every 1-2 years
3. Over age 70, there are no specific recommendations for screening mammograms. Discuss when to stop screening with your doctor or other health care professional.

Clinical Breast Exams (CBE)
We offer clinical breast exams every 1-2 years. We recommend that you talk to your doctor or other health care professional about CBE during your regular check-ups.

Breast Self Exam (BSE)
We recommend that you check your breasts every month. This helps you to know your own body and to notice if there are any new changes in your breast tissue. If you are menstruating, the week after your period is the best time for BSE.

High risk screening guidelines are for certain women with genetic, family history, and other cancer related medical issues that may increase your risk for breast cancer. Please check with your doctor if you think you may be at high risk. In general, guidelines will call for more frequent screening if you are at higher risk for breast cancer.

A Pap test—often called a Pap smear—is a test done during an Ob-Gyn visit. It can help find early signs of cervical cancer. Your doctor or healthcare professional gently removes cells from your cervix (the part of the uterus or womb at the top of the vagina) during a pelvic exam. The cells are sent to a lab to see if they are cancerous or might turn into cervical cancer. Most Pap tests are negative. This means that the cells are normal and healthy. If there are changes in the cells on your cervix, you may need further testing to find out if you have changes that might lead to cancer (precancerous).

Why is it important to get a Pap test?
A Pap test can find changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can usually be treated with simple office procedures. Because of the Pap test, fewer women now die from cervical cancer.

How does a woman get cervical cancer?
Scientists think that certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cause most kinds of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one partner to another during sex. There are many types of HPV, and most of them are harmless. A few types of HPV are linked with cervical cancer. Other types of HPV cause genital warts, though most people with HPV have no visible signs or symptoms.

Smoking may increase your chance of developing cervical cancer, especially if you have HPV. If you are a smoker and would like to quit, we can help. Talk to your doctor or health care professional, visit kp.org/quitsmoking, or go to your Health Education department for more information

Who should get a Pap test?
You should get a Pap test every 1 to 3 years if any one of the following applies:

• You have been sexually active for 3 years or more.
• You are over 21 years old.
• You have had an abnormal Pap test.
• You have had cancer of the cervix, vulva, or vagina.
• You have had genital warts.

How often should you get a Pap test?

• Women Under 30. Kaiser Permanente recommends that women under the age of 30 get a Pap test every 1 to 3 years (after having had two normal yearly Pap tests in a row). Cervical cells become cancerous very slowly. A Pap test every 1 to 3 years can find changes in cells early on, which is usually treated during an office procedure before the cancer can spread.
• Women 30 and Over. At age 30 and over, you should have Pap plus HPV testing. If both tests are negative, your risk of cervical cancer is extremely low. You should follow up with regular Pap plus HPV tests every 3 years. This does not mean you can’t see your doctor more often, it just means that you do not need testing for cervical cancer more often. If your HPV test is positive, you need to have a Pap plus HPV test every year until your HPV becomes negative.

You should also get a Pap test if anyone of the following applies:

• You are a new member.
• You have recently returned to Kaiser Permanente, and have not had a Pap test at Kaiser Permanente in the past 3 years.
• You have never had a Pap test.

If you had a Pap test that was not normal, you and your doctor will decide how often you need to get a Pap test. If you have bleeding between periods, pain in your lower abdomen, or other symptoms, you should see your doctor or health care professional right away.

Do I need to get a Pap test if I do not have sexual intercourse?
We recommend that all women who are between the ages of 21 and 65 (and have not had a hysterectomy) have Pap tests.

How can I protect myself from cervical cancer?
The best way to protect yourself is to get regular Pap tests. Changes in the cells of the cervix are present for years in most women who eventually develop cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented if cell changes are found and treated early, before cervical cancer develops. Skin-to-skin contact and sexual intercourse can spread HPV. We recommend using condoms in order to lower the risk. Using condoms also helps prevent other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Additional Resources
Below are links to breast cancer and cervical cancer screening information:

• Breast Care. The resources in this section are designed to provide support and information for women experiencing breast cancer or other breast problems.
• Gyn Concerns, Vaginal Infections and STDs. In this section, we have included many Women’s Health and Gyn concerns.
• Gyn Surgery and Procedures. Included in this section is information about common gynecologic procedures and surgeries.

For more information on breast and cervical cancer and tips on prevention, you can:

• Visit our Health Encyclopedia topic Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer.
• Learn more about Breast and Cervical Cancer events at the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation.