Healthy Families – Cervical Cancer with Deanna Padilla

How often should I get screened for cervical cancer?

Deanna Padilla, FNP‑C and Associate Medical Director at Omni Family Health, discusses the importance of cervical cancer screening, especially during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. She emphasizes that early stages are often asymptomatic, making regular Pap smears and HPV testing critical for early detection and prevention. Deanna outlines general screening guidelines – starting Pap tests at age 21, repeating every three years, with HPV co-testing beginning at age 30 – and explains how abnormal results can be managed with follow-up procedures like cell removal or freezing to halt progression to cancer. She also highlights the importance of vaccination against HPV and healthy habits like avoiding smoking to reduce risk.