Women's Health

Pap Smears and Cervical Health at Low* or No Cost*

Cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination can be low or no cost for many women in California, and OB/GYN and women’s health providers at community health centers can handle almost all routine cervical care, including Pap tests and colposcopy.

Get your pap smear and general womens health wellness check up by one of our non-profit clinics. Schedule an appointment at any of our Southern California locations via Cffhae.org

What is cervical health?

Cervical health focuses on keeping the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) healthy by preventing and finding early changes that could lead to cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), but regular screening and HPV vaccination can prevent most cases.

Why screening matters

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly, starting with precancerous changes that can be found and treated long before they turn into cancer. In the United States, more than 11,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but screening and vaccination can greatly reduce this risk.

What tests do I need?

Pap smear: Looks for cell changes on the cervix that might become cancer if not treated; recommended starting at age 21 for most women.

HPV test: Looks for high‑risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer; often combined with a Pap test for people 30 and older.

Your OB/GYN or women’s health provider may also do a pelvic exam and, if needed, follow‑up tests such as colposcopy and biopsies.

Who provides this care?

OB/GYNs and women’s health clinicians (including family medicine and primary care doctors who provide women’s health) can:

Perform Pap smears, HPV testing, pelvic exams, and colposcopy.

Coordinate mammograms, STI testing, contraception, and prenatal care as part of comprehensive women’s health.

Community health centers like Center for Family Health and Education offer integrated women’s health programs with Pap smears, ultrasounds (sometimes doctors refer to preferred ultrasound center), prenatal care, STD testing, and more in one place.

Low or no‑cost options in California

California has special programs and safety‑net clinics to help low‑income, uninsured, and underinsured women get screened:

Every Woman Counts (EWC): Provides free Pap tests and other cervical and breast cancer screening services for eligible California residents who meet age, income, and insurance criteria.

Medi‑Cal: The state’s Medicaid program, which can cover Pap smears, HPV testing, follow‑up care, and related visits for eligible low‑income adults.

EWC typically covers Pap tests for people 21 and older and Pap‑HPV co‑testing for those 30 and older who qualify based on income and insurance status.

Get started this January

Community health centers such as Center for Family Health and Education can help you understand your coverage options, enroll in programs like Medi‑Cal or Every Woman Counts when eligible, and schedule your Pap smear with an OB/GYN or women’s health provider at low or no out‑of‑pocket cost.

References

NCCC – Cervical Health Awareness Month (nccc-online.org/cervical-health-awareness-month)
AACR – January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/cervical-cancer-awareness-month)
ODPHP – January National Health Observance: Cervical Cancer Awareness (odphp.health.gov/news/202312/january-national-health-observance-cervical-cancer-awareness)
WHO – Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (who.int/campaigns/cervical-cancer-awareness-month)
CDC – What Should I Know About Screening? (cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm)
CDC – HPV and Cervical Cancer (cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/cervical.htm)
CDC – Cervical Cancer Statistics (cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/statistics/index.htm)
USPSTF – Cervical Cancer: Screening Recommendations (uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/cervical-cancer-screening)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Cervical Cancer Screening (acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cervical-cancer-screening)
California Health Collaborative – Every Woman Counts (healthcollaborative.org/program/every-woman-counts-ewc)
Innercare – Every Woman Counts Program Overview (innercare.org/?page_id=3954)

References

Pregnancy test: when to take, types & accuracy [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: my.clevelandclinic.org/ health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests
What’s an IUD insertion like? [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: plannedparenthood.org/ learn/birth-control/iud/whats-an-iud-insertion-like

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Pap Smears currently available at most of our Locations in Southern California.

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