After the age of 65, most women who have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer or precancer can discontinue undergoing Pap screenings if they have had three negative tests in the previous ten years. These tests include: PAP tests, HPV tests, and cervical biopsies. Women who have never been tested or who have never had a negative test result should continue to follow this advice regardless of their age. It is important to remember that even though Pap tests are very effective in detecting early changes on the cervix, they do not detect all cases of cervical cancer. Women need to be aware of this fact and understand that it is possible to get other types of cancers of the female reproductive system without having been detected through screening tests. Cervical cancer remains an important health problem for women, but it can be prevented through regular screenings tests.