How much do you know about cervical cancer and the steps that we can take for its early detection and management?
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infections with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although cervical cancer rates have declined in the United States in recent decades, the National Cancer Institute estimates that ~13,360 individuals were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2025, and ~4,320 died from the disease. 1
How can we prevent cervical cancer? The HPV vaccine currently used in the United States protects against seven high-risk HPV strains or types responsible for causing cancer and two that cause genital warts. The vaccine is approved for anyone aged 9 to 45, with routine vaccination recommended beginning at ages 11-12. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV vaccines are highly immunogenic, with more than 98% of recipients developing an antibody response to the HPV types covered by the vaccine one month after completing the full vaccination series.2,3
How can we detect cervical cancer early? Screening plays a critical role in cervical cancer prevention—and even precancerous changes can be detected and treated before cancer develops. A Pap smear can detect cancerous and precancerous cells. Screening may also include tests that detect infection with high-risk HPV, alone or in combination with a Pap smear. In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first at-home HPV self-test for cervical cancer screening, a self-collection device that enables individuals to collect vaginal samples at home with ease, comfort, and accuracy.
Who should be screened? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends:
Ages 21-29
- Pap smear every 3 years
- Ages 30 to 65 (one of the following) Pap smear alone every 3 years
- High-risk HPV test alone every 5 years
- Co-testing with Pap smear and HPV test every 5 years
Over Age 65
- Screening is not recommended for most individuals with adequate prior screening and without high-risk conditions
A cancer that is preventable through vaccination and screening
With widespread vaccination and routine screening, cervical cancer is increasingly preventable. This offers real hope that the disease can someday be eliminated as a public health threat.
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