Confusion May Be Driving Low Cervical Cancer Screening Rates
Nearly 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the U.S. The disease is preventable and can be successfully treated when detected early. Despite this, only 39% of eligible women were screened in 2021, a decline of 6% from 2019. So why aren’t more women taking advantage of cervical cancer screening?
There are many reasons women aren’t getting screened, says Dr. Anna Giuliano, founder of the Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center. “It could be a lack of insurance or access to care, lack of understanding for the need to be screened, and screening guideline confusion.”
Giuliano points out that it used to be as simple as telling women to get an annual Pap smear, but in the early 2010s, it changed to testing every three years. Then, with the introduction of HPV testing, the guidelines got more confusing. Instead of a general recommendation for all women of average risk (not including women who are immunocompromised or have a history of cervical cancer), it was 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 cotest 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.
HPV testing is important because nearly all cervical cancer cases are caused by the human papillomavirus. “It is a more sensitive and effective way to identify if a woman has an elevated risk of developing cervical cancer,” Giuliano said.
She adds that it is important for women to advocate for themselves. Talk to your health care provider about the appropriate test and make sure screenings are scheduled on time.
