Skip to main content
Quest Diagnostics

Cervical Cancer Screening

High-risk HPV causes virtually all cervical cancers1

Cervical cancer screening has dramatically reduced incidence and deaths from the disease.2 Yet screening gaps persist, and recent data show that screening rates have declined.3

Nearly 1 in 4 screening-eligible women were not 
up-to-date with cervical cancer screening in 20233

60% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in a population-based study had not been screened in the 5 years before diagnosis4

Guideline-aligned testing options to match your clinical workflow

Our comprehensive portfolio of screening options is designed to reduce barriers and empower you to tailor testing approaches to meet the unique needs of your patients.

With primary HPV screening, the HPV test is used as the primary screening method, with the Pap test reserved for follow-up when the HPV test identifies potential concerns. Current guidelines from ACOG, USPSTF/HRSA, and ACS state that primary HPV screening is the preferred screening for women 30–65 years old.5-7

 

At Quest, primary HPV screening can be performed with HPV DNA testing.

Co-testing combines cervical cytology and high-risk HPV testing. Quest offers co-testing with both HPV DNA and HPV mRNA assays to support established screening workflows.

 

Current guidelines continue to recognize co-testing every 5 years as an acceptable screening option for women ages 30–65.5

For eligible patients, self-collection provides another option for HPV screening using a vaginal specimen collected in a medical setting, including a physician office or Quest Patient Service Center. It may help address barriers associated with traditional speculum-based collection and expand access to screening.

 

Quest patient self-collection is available with HPV DNA testing and is supported by current guidelines from ACOG, USPSTF/HRSA, and ACS.5-7

 

Read our Provider Insights article on how self-collect HPV tests can expand access to testing.

Download the self-collection brochure to learn more

Smart Codes help simplify age-based screening

Smart Codes help streamline age- and risk-based ordering of Pap, HPV, and select STI testing.8-11

Explore Smart Codes

Help drive informed decisions with HPV DNA testing

HPV DNA testing detects viral DNA—even when the virus is not actively producing cancer-causing proteins. Combined with high clinical sensitivity, actionable genotyping, and self-collection options, HPV DNA testing can help support screening decisions, streamline triage, and expand access.
Learn more
Drive informed decisions with HPV DNA testing

Testing from Quest Diagnostics supports leading cervical cancer screening guidelines, including those from the

  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)5
  • US Preventive Services Task Force/Health Resources and Services Administration (USPSTF/HRSA)6
  • American Cancer Society (ACS)7
Download the guideline summary

Supporting resources

Podcast: HPV testing for cervical cancer screening
Download cervical cancer screening brochure

Experience and support across cervical cancer screening

Quest combines broad testing options with cytology expertise, rigorous quality standards, nationwide access, and workflow support to help meet a range of cervical cancer screening needs.

Commitment to innovation

Advanced digital cytology and AI technologies support sensitive disease detection and help advance cervical cancer screening capabilities.12

Specialized expertise

Quest performs a higher volume of Pap and high-grade lesion evaluations than most other labs.13 A team of 450 anatomic and clinical pathologists—including gynecologic subspecialists—supports challenging case evaluation.

Rigorous quality control standards

Quality standards meet or exceed requirements, with ~1 in 5 Pap tests receiving second-line review.13

Broad access and support

Nationwide access, broad health plan coverage, financial assistance programs, and dedicated support help simplify testing for practices and patients.

Women’s Health Concierge

1.844.QUESTOB (1.844.783.7862)
NCSWomensHealthConcierge@QuestDiagnostics.com
To access all testing options for cervical cancer screening, please visit our test directory

References

  1. National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer causes, risk factors, and prevention (PDQ®). NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65901/
  2. National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer screening (PDQ®)–health professional version. Updated April 18, 2025. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/hp/cervical-screening-pdq
  3. Sabatino SA, Thompson TD, Croswell JM, et al. Use of cancer screening tests, US, 2023. Prev Chronic Dis. 2025;22:250139. doi:10.5888/pcd22.250139
  4. Benard VB, Jackson JE, Greek A, et al. A population study of screening history and diagnostic outcomes of women with invasive cervical cancer. Cancer Med. 2021;10(12):4127-4137. doi:10.1002/cam4.3951
  5. ACOG Committee Statement: Screening for cervical cancer. Obstet Gynecol. 2026;148(1):e63-e67. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000006257
  6. Christine B, Bush M, Thurakal A, et al. New cervical cancer screening guidelines from the US Department of Health and Human Services: strengthening women’s preventive health. JAMA. 2026;335(8):661-662. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.26456
  7. Pant S. American Cancer Society: New cervical cancer screening guidelines. JAMA. 2026;335(4):298. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.23004
  8. Women’s Preventive Services Initiative. Screening for cervical cancer. Updated January 2026. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.womenspreventivehealth.org/recommendations/cervical-cancer/
  9. ACOG. Screening for cervical cancer. Committee Statement No. 28. Obstet Gynecol. 2026;148:e63-e67. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000006315
  10. CDC. Screening recommendations and considerations referenced in treatment guidelines and original sources. 2021. Updated March 22, 2024. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
  11. Perkins RB, Guido RS, Castle PE, et al. 2019 ASCCP risk-based management consensus guidelines for abnormal cervical cancer screening tests and cancer precursors. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2020;24(2):102-131. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000525
  12. Genius™ Digital Diagnostics System with Genius™ Cervical AI Algorithm Instructions for Use AW-23890-001. Hologic, Inc.; 2025.
  13. Data on file, Quest Diagnostics, 2026.

Contact us

Contact us to receive additional information on our lab tests, services, and coverage

Contact us

Well Woman

Test directory

With more than 3,500 tests available, we can support every stage of a woman’s life with important insights

Learn more

Resources

We offer a variety of useful resources for healthcare professionals

View Resources

Patient info

For assistance with questions about the testing process or locations, call 1.866.MYQUEST (1.866.697.8378)

Our company

Quest® is the brand name used for services offered by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and its affiliated companies. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and certain affiliates are CLIA-certified laboratories that provide HIPAA-covered services.  Other affiliates operated under the Quest® brand, such as Quest Consumer Inc., do not provide HIPAA-covered services. 

 

Quest®, Quest Diagnostics®, any associated logos, and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only. May include AI-generated and/or AI-modified imagery.