Lesbian, bisexual and queer women and cervical cancer screening
“As a queer woman, I was told that my risk was low and that I didn’t need to have regular Pap tests. Given that I was eventually diagnosed with cervical cancer, this information was clearly false. If you have a cervix and you’ve had sex, you need regular Pap tests.” -Layla
Lesbian, bisexual, gay, queer and other women who have sex with women: If you're sexually active, 21 and older then you need to get screened for cervical cancer. Anyone with a cervix can be affected by cervical cancer. If you have ever had genital skin-to-skin contact with anyone of any gender, then you need to get a Pap test.
Get screened even if you:
- have no symptoms
- are no longer sexually active
- have only had one sexual partner in your lifetime
- have been through menopause
- have had the HPV vaccine
- have no family history of cervical cancer
- have only ever had sex with women
- have only ever had sex with trans men
Find out more about cervical cancer screening.