While cervical cancer rates in the United States have dropped over the past few decades, the National Cancer Institute projects that approximately 13,820 individuals will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024, and over 4,360 will die from the disease.

For the most part, cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infections with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Fortunately, the HPV vaccine currently used in the United States, Gardasil 9, can protect against nine of the 12 high-risk HPV strains.

The HPV vaccine is approved for males and females ages 9 to 45, with recommendations that they should get the first dose at age 11 or 12. We can tell it’s effective because research has shown that in young women who were most likely to have received the HPV vaccines, cervical cancer incidence is declining rapidly. For instance, a study showed that in women aged 20 to 24 years, invasive cervical cancer incidence decreased by 65% from 2012 to 2019 compared to only by 24% from 2005 to 2012.

In addition to preventative vaccines, we have screening tests that can detect cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more effective than at a later point. Even precancerous conditions can be detected and treated.
Screening includes the well-known “Pap test” or “Pap smear.” This can detect cells that might indicate that cancer is present. Another test can detect an infection with high-risk HPV.

Screening recommendations
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women should start getting Pap tests every three years, beginning at age 21. From 30 to 65 years of age, the USPSTF recommends combination screening: the Pap test alone every three years; a high-risk HPV test alone every five years; or “cotesting” with both every five years. Testing isn’t recommended for most women over 65.