Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina and is almost always linked to persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). While HPV is common, long-lasting infection can cause abnormal cervical cell changes that may progress into cancer if they are not detected early.
Despite advances in prevention and treatment, cervical cancer continues to pose a serious public health challenge, particularly for Black women. Black women are more than one-and-a-half times as likely to die from cervical cancer compared to their white counterparts, highlighting the urgent need to address systemic barriers related to healthcare access, awareness, and education.
Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines for 2026
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends beginning cervical cancer screening at age 25 for people with a cervix at average risk. The preferred screening method for ages 25 through 65 is primary HPV testing every five years. If primary HPV testing is not available, co-testing (HPV test plus Pap test) every five years or Pap testing alone every three years is acceptable. Recent ACS updates and clinical news summaries also highlight the expansion of self-collected HPV samples in approved clinical settings. Screening may end after age 65 for individuals with adequate prior normal results. With modern screening and HPV vaccination, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers worldwide.
On this Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the messages are clear.
Get informed. Find out the facts about cervical cancer and the HPV that causes it. Help educate other women in your life too.
Get screened. Cervical cancer screening typically starts at age 30 and is repeated periodically.
Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is given in 2 doses that should begin when a girl is between 9 and 14 years old.
Watch this short informative video
Sources: World Health Organization, American Association for Cancer Research, Mayo Clinic