New research indicates a significant rise in the number of young women who have never undergone cervical cancer screening, alongside increasing cancer incidence rates in older age groups.

A study published in JAMA Network Open on August 27 reveals that nearly one-third of women aged 21 to 29 had never been screened for cervical cancer as of 2023. This figure represents a substantial increase from 12.5% in 2005. The research also highlights that cervical cancer incidence for regional- and distant-stage cases has grown by more than 2% annually since 2017 among women aged 30 to 64.

Trends in Screening Disparities

The research identified that the proportion of women who have never undergone screening has risen across multiple age groups. For women aged 30 to 65, the rate of never-screened individuals increased from 5.3% in 2005 to 14.8% in 2023. Researchers adjusted these population estimates to account for women who had undergone a hysterectomy. Disparities in screening were linked to race, ethnicity, education, insurance coverage, and geographic region. Asian women were found to have the highest prevalence of never being screened in both age groups, while uninsured women aged 30 to 65 were significantly more likely to have never undergone the procedure.

Clinical Importance of Regular Screening

Medical experts emphasize that cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening, which can identify precancerous changes before they progress to cancer. While the HPV vaccine reduces risk, it does not eliminate it, and experts note that infections can appear decades after initial exposure. Regular screening is recommended even for those who are not currently sexually active. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that individuals with a cervix at average risk begin regular screening at age 25 and continue until at least age 65. The preferred method is a primary HPV test performed by a healthcare professional every five years.