Millennial women are missing out on vital cervical cancer screening checks at significantly higher rates than older generations, according to new European research. Experts warn that emotional, social, and workplace pressures could jeopardize global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer within the next decade.
A study by Roche Diagnostics and GWI, covering more than 5,500 women aged 16 to 64 across six European countries, found that 31 percent of eligible millennials postponed or missed their cervical screening appointments—27 percent higher than the average across all age groups. This gap persists even in countries where cervical cancer screening is free or low-cost.
Fear And Stigma Still Deter Many
Fear remains the leading reason young women avoid screening. About 30 percent of respondents cited anxiety about pain, discomfort, or test results as the main deterrent, with fear levels peaking in Spain, where 43 percent delayed appointments. Nearly half of all respondents said they had never discussed cervical screening with anyone, though many indicated they would be more likely to attend if encouraged by family or colleagues.
Joanna Sickler, Vice-President for Health Policy and External Affairs at Roche Diagnostics, said millennials are known as the “have it all” generation—balancing careers, families, and relationships—but often neglect their own health. “They are failing to prioritise cervical screening due to a mix of emotional, logistical, and societal pressures,” she explained.
Rising Risks Among Younger Women
Globally, cervical cancer affects more than 600,000 women each year but is preventable in most cases through vaccination, early detection, and treatment. Rates of cervical screening have fallen in England to just 69 percent, well below the NHS target of 80 percent. Younger women—especially those aged 25 to 29—are the least likely to attend.
These missed appointments come at a time when early-onset cancers are rising sharply. Between 1990 and 2019, cancer rates among people under 50 grew by 79 percent worldwide, with millennials now considered the first generation more likely to develop cancer than their parents. In some populations, cervical cancer incidence among women aged 30 to 34 has increased by 2.5 percent annually since 2012.
Work And Family Pressures Add To The Gap
Workplace demands and caregiving duties are the second and third biggest barriers to attendance. High-income professionals were 22 percent more likely to delay appointments, often due to heavy workloads. Among parents, 27 percent placed caregiving responsibilities above their own health.
While most managers agree employees should be supported to attend health appointments, only 14 percent offer flexibility, and barely eight percent openly discuss the topic at work. Sickler called for cultural and structural changes to make attending screenings easier, from flexible scheduling to practical help with childcare and transport.
New Tools To Increase Participation
Health experts are urging systems to “meet women where they are.” Professor Daniel Kelly of Cardiff University said healthcare providers must remove cultural and logistical barriers while normalising cervical health discussions across workplaces and communities.
In line with these goals, the NHS will introduce home HPV testing kits from January 2026 for those who rarely attend clinic appointments. Research by King’s College London found that such self-sampling kits could increase screening participation by up to 400,000 people annually.
Although clinician-led tests remain the gold standard, health organisations including Cancer Research UK support self-testing as a crucial step toward increasing access. “Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone,” said Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive.
A Collective Effort To Eliminate Cervical Cancer
Roche’s new campaign, “Cervical cancer: it only ends with all of us,” calls for a society-wide approach that blends education, emotional encouragement, and workplace support to boost attendance. The initiative aims to build a culture where conversations about cervical cancer screening and women’s health are open and routine.
As Sickler concluded, “Only by fostering inclusive environments and empowering women to prioritise their health will we stop cervical cancer from taking more lives.”
Related topics
