Today we are outlining the six recommendations from the 2026 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) statement, Screening for Cervical Cancer. This statement provides updated guidance on cervical cancer screening in patients at average risk across different age groups, as well as considerations for primary high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) screening, co-testing, and self-collection. The recommendations are based on the 2026 update to the Women's Preventive Services Initiative's updated cervical cancer screening recommendations.

Below, you can find the six recommendations from the statement. View the full-text version for the most thorough explanation of these recommendations. 

Recommendations from the 2026 ACOG Cervical Cancer Screening Statement
  • Individuals aged 21–29 years should be screened for cervical cancer every 3 years with cervical cytology alone.
  • Individuals aged 30–65 years should undergo clinician-collected primary high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) screening every 5 years, using U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved tests for primary screening.
  • Co-testing with hrHPV and cervical cytology every 5 years for individuals aged 30–65 years is acceptable when primary hrHPV testing is not available or, after counseling, the patient chooses co-testing. Patient-collected primary hrHPV screening every 3 years, using U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved testing kits, may be considered when systems are in place for appropriate notification and follow-up.
  • Cervical cytology alone for individuals aged 30–65 years should be used only in settings in which primary hrHPV testing or co-testing is not available or if, after counseling, the patient chooses cervical cytology alone.
  • Routine screening is not clinically indicated in patients older than age 65 years if they have received adequate prior screening, defined as three consecutive negative cytology results or two consecutive negative co-testing results within 10 years before stopping screening, with the most recent test occurring within 3 years for cytology alone or 5 years if co-testing is used. For patients older than age 65 years who have not received adequate prior screening according to the criteria described or who are at high-risk for cervical cancer, screening should continue.
  • Routine cervical cancer screening is not recommended for patients who have undergone hysterectomy with removal of the cervix and who do not have a history of cervical cancer or another high-grade precancerous lesion.

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