The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is a government organization whose function is to develop guidelines for health screening tests. Guidelines for cervical cancer have been developed and make a lot of sense. Women 21-65 should have a routine Pap smear every three years unless they also had an HPV screen at the same time; in that case every 5 years is sufficient. Women over 65 don't need either a Pap or HPV test if they have done routine exams and have been normal.
There is no need for HPV screening before age 30 because so many women have this infection and most of the time it clears on its own. Cervical cancer from HPV take decades to develop, so there is time to check for this after age 30 safely.
