Pap Smears vs. HPV Testing: What You Need to Know
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Pap Smears vs. HPV Testing: Understanding Cervical Cancer Screening

Pap Smears vs. HPV Testing: Understanding Cervical Cancer Screening
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Updated on January 14, 2026
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A Pap smear is a routine, sometimes uncomfortable, gynecological test that can detect abnormal cervical cells before they become cancerous, but it’s not the only way to screen for cervical cancer. In fact, the latest guidelines recommend performing a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years from ages 25 to 65 for people at average risk.

The HPV test offers less discomfort and more convenience, but some research suggests its use — and results — may be misunderstood.

 Here’s what you need to know about the available cervical cancer screening options.

Pap Smears and HPV Testing: What’s the Difference?

The first difference is how each test specimen is collected. Pap smears are performed in a healthcare setting, typically using a tool called a speculum to open the vaginal canal and a specialized brush to collect cells from the cervix.

 While it’s common to experience nothing more than mild discomfort, this test can cause physical and/or emotional distress for some.

During an HPV test, however, your provider collects a sample of mucus from your cervix, a process that doesn’t typically cause pain, according to the Office on Women's Health.

 Self-collected HPV test kits are also available, which makes this test even more accessible.

Each test also looks for a different warning sign of cervical cancer. Where Pap smears look at the sample cervical cells to see if any are abnormal or precancerous, the HPV test checks for HPV, the most prominent cervical cancer risk factor.

Why Do We Need Pap Smears?

Pap smears can identify precancerous cervical cells, allowing physicians to act before cancer develops.

 “Cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers,” says Sangini Sheth, MD, a gynecologist and the associate chief of gynecologic specialties at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “One way to prevent cervical cancer is to catch it early through cervical screening.”
Cervical cancer starts in cervix cells and usually grows slowly over a long period of time.

 Most cervical cancers are caused by lingering HPV infections, which may have no symptoms but can cause small bumps in the genital area, according to the CDC.

Most HPV infections go away on their own, but 1 out of every 10 cases sticks around and can lead to cervical cancer.

 However, when you diagnose cervical cancer at an early stage, it’s easier to treat, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in New York City, and the chief medical officer of Bonafide Health. That's why cervical screening — through Pap smears or HPV testing — is so important.

“As great as the Pap test is, it is not a perfect test, and there are some false positive and false negative results,” says Julieta Barroeta, MD, a pathologist and associate professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at Loyola University in Chicago.

“Numerous studies across the globe have demonstrated the effectiveness of HPV testing in preventing cervical cancer. Since most cervical cancers are caused by HPV, having a negative HPV test almost guarantees that the patient will not develop cervical cancer in the next three years,” says Dr. Barroeta.

In the end, the ball is in your court. You can still get Pap smears (which usually include an HPV test, too) or you can ask your provider for an HPV test only. Both are effective, and you can pick your preference.

Whether you choose the Pap or HPV test, the important thing is to get screened on a regular basis. While it may feel like the last thing you want to do, a cervical cancer screening can save your life.

Home HPV Testing: How It Works

Home cervical screening tests, like in-office HPV tests, collect cervical mucus instead of cells, notes Barroeta. “Most kits have very clear instructions that are easy to follow, and patients have expressed feeling more at ease collecting their own samples at home or even collecting them themselves at the clinician's office,” she says.

To test yourself at home, you insert a long-handled cotton swab about the size of a tampon (or smaller) into your vagina, then rotate it several times, explains Dr. Sheth. “The collected sample is then either sent to a lab or evaluated at home using test media as being positive or negative for high-risk HPV DNA.”

Home HPV testing can offer more than just convenience. “These tests are also particularly useful for those patients with limited access to healthcare facilities due to distance or other personal situations,” says Barroeta.

According to a study published in 2020, about 20 percent of women in the United States are at a higher risk of cervical cancer because they are unable to get screened as often as recommended. This study demonstrated a higher rate of screening when test kits were mailed to homes.

Home HPV testing is considered as accurate as tests done by a clinician, says Dr. Dweck, with some brands claiming 99 percent accuracy. Just keep in mind you’ll still need need a doctor to order one of these kits, and it’s important to only use FDA-approved products.

The Takeaway

  • Pap smears and HPV tests are important methods for cervical cancer screening, but they’re performed and used differently.
  • Regular cervical cancer screening can identify risks like high-risk HPV strains or precancerous cells early, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment.
  • Home HPV testing kits provide a viable alternative for individuals unable to visit clinics regularly — however, you should ensure the tests are FDA-approved and physician-ordered for reliability..
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. The American Cancer Society Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening. American Cancer Society. December 4, 2025.
  2. Nothacker J et al. Women’s Attitudes Towards a Human Papillomavirus-Based Cervical Cancer Screening Strategy: A Systematic Review. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. August 5, 2022.
  3. Cervical Cancer Screening. National Cancer Institute. February 13, 2025.
  4. Arrivillaga M et al. Women’s Critical Experiences with the Pap Smear for the Development of Cervical Cancer Screening Devices. Helyion. March 2023.
  5. Pap and HPV Tests. Office on Women’s Health. October 24, 2025.
  6. Kitchen FL et al. Papanicolaou Smear. StatPearls. October 17, 2022.
  7. What Is Cervical Cancer? National Cancer Institute. June 15, 2023.
  8. About Genital HPV Infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 31, 2025.
  9. Montealegre JR et al. Mailed Self-Sample HPV Testing Kits to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening in a Safety Net Health System: Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Randomized Controlled Trial. Trials. October 21, 2020.
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John Paul McHugh, MD

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Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

John Paul McHugh, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist and lifestyle medicine specialist in southern California. He has always placed wellness at the center of his work, in both delivering babies and improving practice standards. Dr. McHugh believes that bringing lifestyle medicine to the center of health and wellness empowers patients to make the change they seek and enjoy the benefits of true wellness.

He is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He served as a department chair at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and is now the chair-elect for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for California.

He has published several articles in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and served as a peer reviewer for many articles. He contributed to the first textbook of lifestyle medicine in women's health: Improving Women's Health Across the Lifespan.

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