Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers among women worldwide, with approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths reported in 2022. It is the fourth most common cancer in women, and nearly 94% of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting global disparities in access to vaccination, screening, and treatment.
This year, cervical cancer screening has taken a significant step forward. On December 4, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines aimed at making screening more accessible, effective, and easier for people with a cervix.
Key updates include starting cervical cancer screening at age 25 and continuing until around 65. The ACS now recommends the HPV test alone every five years as the preferred method. In a notable change, self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing are recognized as a valid option in certain settings, enabling people who face barriers to clinic visits or who find pelvic exams uncomfortable to participate in screening.
If an HPV-only test is unavailable, the ACS still supports traditional Pap tests every three years or HPV/Pap co-testing every five years.
These changes arrive as healthcare systems worldwide strive to reduce barriers to early detection and improve health equity. The updated guidelines could significantly reshape cervical cancer prevention, offering more flexible and inclusive screening options.
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