do i need to have a yearly pap smear test even if i am not sexually active?

Question

i'm 32, single with one child. do i need to have a yearly pap smear test or that test for cervical cancer even if i am not sexually active? for years

Answer 1

The fact that some of the responders here are conflating HPV and cervical cancer muddles the water further. There is no "cancer vaccine" - there is a vaccine for HPV - a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer.

However - *you* should get a pap regularly (professionals differ in whether it should be every year or every three) HPV is very common, and there is a good chance you are already infected. Most people are. Doctors rarely test for it because it is so common. Ergo you should be tested because you were once sexually active, and the HPV infection, no matter how old, can cause cervical cancer at any time in the future.

However, I think the question of whether someone who has *never* been sexually active should get paps is still open. HPV is the "main risk factor". Is the risk for those who could not have HPV high enough to warrant regular tests?

I suspect that we're not getting answers to that question from medicine, mainly because they don't want to open the doorway to women opting out of paps. Allowing some women to opt out may threaten the health of women who are lying about their sexual activity or underestimating its risks, or because they don't know their partner has been unfaithful. I suppose that making the rest of us go through uncomfortable tests is seen as a small price to pay to prevent the above from getting cancer. However this is all just a suspicion - it could well be that there are non-HPV cc risks.

Answer 2

The Pap smear which is a test for cervical cancer and other uterus cancers/you must mean the vaccination against cervical cancer-----Yes for both have no connection with being or not being sexually active---Cancer is not caused by sexually activity but Genetics,enviromental exposures, Pesticide exposures and many other things. Not being sexually active guards you only agaainst not getting sexually transmitted diseases like sypillis,gonorrea ,std etc. Cancer is not transmitted sexually. It is a simple procedure,not painful and takes very little time to do a pap smear and have a examination but it can be life and death for someone for the earlier cancer is found the better the chance of curing it. You should also be doing self examinations of chest for anything unusual and when nearing 40 should be having yearly Mammograms also a life saver-Consult your Gynocologist and make an appointment for the pap smear for you also have a liitle girl that will need you for many years to come.

Answer 3

Yes you must continue to have yearly pap smears, up until 70 years of age, or until your doctor says you can stop having smears.
Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus, which is sexually transmitted. Even though you are not sexually active now, you have been in the past, and therefore you have been exposed to the virus - virtually all sexually active people have been exposed to HPV at sometime in their life. Exsposure to HPV does not always cause cervical cancer, as often the immune system deals with it. But sometimes, the immune system cannot deal with it and then the virus causes the cells to start to undergo precancerous changes.
Pap tests are the best way to safeguard against these precancerous changes or against cervical cancer, so for your sake and for your child, please continue to have yearly Pap tests.

Answer 4

Yes, having a PAP smear once a year after the age of 18, or once you become sexually active is necessary. Though you have not been active for quite some time, it is still a good idea for you to get one. Cervical cancer kills thousands of women each year so, it would be wise to visit your gynecologist and set up an appointment.

Answer 5

After three years in a row of problem free or negative pap smears and no sex you can get pap tests every three years.

Answer 6

Absolutely. The exam is to make sure that you do not have cervical cancer, and to check for signs of breast cancer. You can get cervical cancer without being sexually active. It is very important for you to keep going to get your annual pap. and breast exam. Think about your daughter. It would be terrible for her if she lost her mom to either one of those diseases, so it is extremely important for you to keep getting it done, for hers and your sake.

Answer 7

Depend. If your result of last smear was normal and you do not have any presenting factors, you can do the smear every 3 years. however this also depend on the local health policy.

Answer 8

Yes, you certainly do need a checkup each year.
Sex has nothing to do with any possible cancer cells.
Keep yourself healthy and get regular checkups. God Bless you and your child, I know how hard it is to raise a child on my own. Be happy and safe

Answer 9

If your paps have always been clear than you can go every three years.

Answer 10

YES sex is not the only risk factor. NUNS get cervical cancer.