At what age can a Pap smear be discontinued?

The recommendation to discontinue Pap smears is typically based on specific criteria regarding cervical cancer screening. For women who have had regular screenings with normal results, the Pap smear can generally be discontinued starting at age 65, assuming they have a history of adequate screening. This means that they should have had three consecutive negative Pap tests within the last ten years or at least two consecutive negative Pap and HPV co-tests within the past 10 years.

The age range of 65-70 aligns with current guidelines, which suggest that screening is no longer necessary for women who meet these criteria. Continuing Pap smears beyond this age without clear medical indications is not usually recommended because the risks of developing cervical cancer diminish significantly after this age when appropriate screening history is present.

Thus, discontinuing Pap smears at age 65-70, in line with established guidelines, makes this age range the optimal choice. Other age ranges extend beyond this standard guideline and could lead to unnecessary testing.