Research commissioned by Roche has found that people aged 29 to 42 are at the highest risk of missing crucial cervical cancer screenings compared to other age groups. The multinational survey, conducted across six European countries by GWI, included 5,518 participants aged 16–64. The findings revealed that 31% of eligible millennials had either postponed or completely missed their cervical screening appointments — a figure 27% higher than the average across all age groups.
Despite the availability of free or heavily subsidised screening services in many regions, a combination of personal, professional, and societal factors contributes to this trend. The study underscores that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, with nearly all cases avoidable through vaccination and regular screening.
Why Millennials Are Struggling to Keep Appointments
The survey found that millennials face specific challenges that make attending screenings more difficult than for other groups. In addition to the well-documented emotional barriers such as fear of pain, embarrassment, or social stigma, this generation often grapples with a complex web of responsibilities — careers, caregiving, and relationships — that compete for attention.
According to Joanna Sickler, Vice-President of Health Policy and External Affairs at Roche Diagnostics, these overlapping pressures make it easy for self-care to fall off the priority list. She noted, “Millennials are often described as the generation that wants to have it all, but they tend to put themselves last. The data clearly shows they are failing to prioritise cervical cancer screening due to emotional, logistical, and societal challenges. Developing solutions like self-sampling that fit into their busy lives is not only innovative — it’s essential to saving lives.”
Expert Calls for Person-Centred Healthcare Systems
The findings prompted calls for healthcare systems to evolve in ways that support the needs of younger women. Professor Daniel Kelly OBE of Cardiff University, Co-Chair of the HPV and Hep B Action Network at the European Cancer Organisation, emphasised the need for “flexible, person-centred screening options” that integrate easily into modern lifestyles. He also stressed that healthcare systems should prioritise access to vaccination and foster open discussions that normalise cervical health as a collective responsibility.
Fear and Workplace Pressures Remain Major Barriers
Fear remains the most cited barrier to cervical screening attendance, with 30% of women reporting anxiety about potential discomfort, pain, or test results. Workplace pressures follow closely behind. Among high-income earners, 27% reported professional commitments as the reason for delay, and they were 22% more likely than average to miss or postpone appointments.
For millennials, greater workplace flexibility and active encouragement from employers were identified as potential motivators to improve screening rates. Around 20% of millennials who missed appointments said flexible working hours would help them prioritise screenings.
Caregiving Responsibilities and Cultural Silence Add to the Problem
Parental duties were another critical barrier, with 27% of parents surveyed admitting they delayed or cancelled their screenings due to family obligations. The survey also highlighted a concerning lack of communication and awareness: nearly half of women surveyed believed there were no existing schemes to support or subsidise healthcare appointments.
Furthermore, 43% of millennials had never discussed cervical screening with anyone, reinforcing a persistent cultural discomfort around the topic.
Solutions: Practical Support and Emotional Encouragement
Improving attendance rates, particularly among millennials, will require both structural and emotional support. Among those who postponed screenings, 12% said assistance with childcare or transportation would encourage them to attend, while 19% said workplace flexibility could help. Emotional encouragement also plays a vital role: 10% said support from family, friends, or colleagues would make them more likely to book a screening.
Eliminating Cervical Cancer Through Collective Action
Every year, cervical cancer affects more than 600,000 women globally. Yet, it is almost entirely preventable through vaccination, early detection, and timely treatment of precancerous lesions. Roche’s campaign, Cervical cancer: it only ends with all of us, aims to tackle these barriers by promoting access, awareness, and inclusivity. The initiative focuses on normalising conversations about cervical health, expanding access to flexible screening options like self-collection, and empowering individuals to prioritise prevention.
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