Pap smears after treatment

Studies show that even after you have been successfully treated for a high-grade change, you remain at a slightly higher risk of developing cervical cancer than other women who have never had an abnormality.

If you have been successfully treated, it is recommended that you have six tests over a two-year interval after your treatment. The recommended timeframes and tests are:

• Four to six months after treatment – a Pap smear and colposcopy
• 12 months after treatment – a Pap smear and HPV test
• 24 months after treatment – a Pap smear and HPV test

If all of your tests come back as normal, you will be able to return to your usual two-year Pap smear. If any tests of these come back as abnormal, your doctor or specialist will reassess your treatment options.