Early stage cervical cancer often does not have any symptoms, which can make it hard to detect until it is at an advanced stage. The purpose of screening is to find precancerous cells that can be treated to prevent cancer from occurring. Additionally, the change from precancer to cancer can take as long as 10 to 15 years. Screening for cervical cancer may involve a Pap plus HPV test together (co-testing) every five years, a Pap test alone every three years or an HPV test alone every five years. Different organizations have different guidelines, and it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you.