Ladies, Have You Skipped Your Cervical Cancer Screening?

Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable when found early, yet a new study shows that women are skipping screenings. The study examined health survey data collected from more than 188 million women between 2019 and 2022. Researchers found that fewer than 49% of women living in rural areas had been screened with a Pap test in the past year, compared to 64% of women who lived in urban areas. Additionally, the data showed a drop in Pap test rates among women between 2019 and 2022.

Monica Avila, MD

According to Monica Avila, MD, a gynecologic oncologist in the Gynecologic Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, the results are not surprising. “The decrease in rates of cervical cancer screenings is consistent with other population-based studies that have shown us that cancer screenings are down across the board during and post-COVID. This includes other disease sites like breast and colon,” she said.

There are several reasons screenings could be down. Avila noted that prevention strategies are failing, leading to higher rates of advanced-stage disease that is more difficult to treat. Access to care or lack of insurance are common factors. But confusion may also be to blame for missed screenings. In the early 2010s, cervical cancer screening guidelines changed to a Pap test every three years. Then, with the introduction of HPV testing several years later, the guidelines became more difficult to navigate. Rather than a general recommendation for all women of average risk, the guidelines are broken down by age group.

• Ages 21-29: Have a Pap test every three years.
• Ages 30-65: Have a Pap test every three years; HPV test every five years; or a Pap and HPV co-test every five years.
• Age 65+: Talk with your health care provider to determine if screening is needed.
• Women who have had a hysterectomy including removal of the cervix and no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer do not need to be screened.

“The thing to keep in mind is that screening can be undertaken at any point in time; it is never too late or too early to screen. The important thing is to note that if you miss your annual visit, you can always reschedule immediately. Pre-cancer and early-stage cancers are highly curable, and the earlier we catch the disease, the better. Even better than screening is prevention with the HPV vaccine,” Avila said.