STDs in Older Adults

Every year, thousands of women in the United States die from cervical cancer.6 But cervical cancer is largely a preventable disease.7

Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), an STD, regular cervical screening via Pap smear is an effective way to catch early cancerous changes before they can start to cause problems.

One of the many reasons why the incidence of cervical cancer rises so quickly in older women is that many women stop going to their gynecologist once they stop using birth control pills.

Although Pap smears can be done by any clinician, many older women are reluctant to seek out the discomfort of a sexual health exam, particularly if they are unmarried, not sexually active, post-menopausal, under-insured, or have a limited income. Older women may also be reluctant to be screened for something that, in its early stages, has no symptoms and for which they perceive themselves to be at little risk.

Screening, however, is essential. It can take a decade or more for an HPV infection to develop into the early stages of cervical cancer. Although screening guidelines vary by organization, in general even older women who are not sexually active should still be considered to be at risk.

If you are a woman age 55 or older, it is important to talk to your doctor about how often you need to be screened for cervical cancer. Most women will need to be tested every couple of years, but certain women who are considered to be at very low risk may be able to stop screening after a certain number of negative tests.

If you have a woman in your family of that age, such as a mother or a grandmother, make certain she knows she needs to be regularly tested. It could save her life.