Canada’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer have stalled, according to a new report that warns the country’s decades-long progress toward ending the disease is losing momentum. The 2025 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, released on Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, shows national cervical cancer rates—once steadily declining—have plateaued for the first time in decades. Experts say the trend threatens Canada’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.
The biennial report, published by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in partnership with Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, provides the most current national data on cancer trends. For cervical cancer, the findings mark a sharp warning that earlier prevention gains have stalled.
From 1984 to 2005, cervical cancer rates in Canada declined consistently due to widespread screening and public education. Since then, progress has slowed. The data now confirm that incidence rates have flattened after years of fluctuation. In 2025, an estimated 1,650 people will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and about 430 will die from it—deaths that prevention experts say are largely avoidable.
“Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers we can eliminate, but this plateau shows we are off track,” said Dr. Jennifer Gillis, Director of Surveillance at the Canadian Cancer Society. “HPV vaccination and regular screening remain our most effective tools, but participation in both has declined.”
Researchers point to several factors behind the stagnation, including increasing rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission, uneven vaccination uptake, lower screening participation, and delays in follow-up care. The combination has slowed momentum toward elimination targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
Uneven Progress Across Provinces
HPV testing, a more accurate screening method than the traditional Pap test, is being introduced in several provinces. British Columbia has taken the lead by offering self-administered at-home HPV tests. Other regions remain in early transition stages due to limited laboratory capacity, staffing shortages, and uneven access to primary care.
Vaccination coverage also varies widely across the country. Only Newfoundland meets the national target of 90% coverage among school-aged children. In other provinces and territories, rates range from 16% to 93%, leaving large populations unprotected.
To close these gaps, CCS is urging governments to:
Make HPV testing the primary screening method nationwide.
Expand access to self-collection HPV tests.
Introduce a “once eligible, always eligible” vaccination policy, allowing missed doses to be obtained free of charge.
Strengthen monitoring systems to ensure equitable access and program effectiveness among underserved communities.
Personal Consequences and Human Costs
For individuals, systemic gaps can have life-changing consequences. Daphny, a 31-year-old immigrant from Brazil, was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer after years without screening. Lacking a primary care provider and unaware of local screening programs, she waited months for test results that confirmed an invasive carcinoma.
“If I had been screened regularly, my cancer could have been caught at a precancerous stage,” she said. Now cancer-free, Daphny advocates for improved public awareness and easier screening access for newcomers and underserved groups.
A Turning Point for Prevention
Canada’s overall cancer burden remains high. The report projects 254,800 new cancer cases and 87,400 deaths in 2025. Nearly half of all diagnoses will involve lung, breast, prostate, or colorectal cancers.
While the report highlights strong national monitoring, it also notes that current cancer statistics exclude gender-diverse and racialized populations, creating data gaps that limit equitable care.
Public health leaders emphasize that eliminating cervical cancer remains achievable. Renewed policy coordination, consistent public messaging, and equitable access to screening and vaccination programs are essential.
“Elimination is still within reach,” said Dr. Gillis. “But without decisive, collective action, Canada risks losing the progress made over the past 40 years.”
Related topics
