Cervical cancer is uncommon in the United States, but the risk varies by age and screening history
In the United States, cervical cancer affects roughly 13,000 people per year, and about 4,000 die from it annually. That makes it far less common than breast or lung cancer. The reason the numbers are low is screening: the Pap test and HPV test catch precancerous changes before they become cancer, and treatment at that stage is highly effective.
Your actual risk depends on whether you have been screened regularly. People who have never had a Pap test or who have not been screened in more than five years face a much higher risk than those with normal screening results. Age also matters—cervical cancer is rare before age 25 and most common between ages 35 and 44, though it can occur at any age after sexual activity begins.
Globally, cervical cancer is far more common. In countries without widespread screening programs, it is the fourth most common cancer in women. The difference between high-income and low-income countries is almost entirely due to access to screening and HPV vaccination.
Key Takeaways
- About 13,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, making it uncommon compared to other cancers.
- Regular Pap testing or HPV testing dramatically lowers your risk because precancerous changes are caught and treated before they become cancer.
- Cervical cancer is most common in people ages 35 to 44 and is rare before age 25.
- People who have never been screened or who have not been screened in over five years face a substantially higher risk than those with normal screening results.
- Worldwide, cervical cancer is much more common in countries without screening programs or HPV vaccination access.
Why screening makes such a large difference
Cervical cancer almost always develops from a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that has been present for years. The Pap test detects abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn into cancer—usually 5 to 10 years before cancer would develop. When abnormal cells are found, they can be removed or monitored, and cancer never develops.
This is why the incidence of cervical cancer dropped by more than 70 percent in the United States after Pap screening became routine in the 1960s. Countries that started screening programs later saw the same pattern. The countries with the highest cervical cancer rates today are those where screening is not available or where people do not have regular access to healthcare.
HPV vaccination, which became available in 2006, prevents the infections that cause most cervical cancers. People vaccinated before their first sexual contact have an even lower risk than those who rely on screening alone, though screening remains important because the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing HPV types.
Age and cervical cancer risk
Cervical cancer is extremely rare before age 21. It becomes more common as people age, peaking in the 35 to 44 age group. After age 65, the risk drops again, partly because people in that age group were less likely to have been vaccinated and partly because precancerous changes take time to develop into cancer.
Screening recommendations reflect this pattern. Most guidelines recommend starting Pap tests at age 21 (or 25 in some cases) and continuing until age 65 or 70, depending on screening history. People who have had normal results consistently may be able to space tests further apart or stop screening altogether, while those with abnormal results need more frequent monitoring.
Who faces higher risk
Your risk of cervical cancer is higher if you have never been screened, have not been screened in more than five years, or have a history of abnormal Pap results. People with a weakened immune system—from HIV, organ transplant, or immunosuppressive medications—also face higher risk because their bodies are less able to clear HPV infections on their own.
Smoking increases risk as well, though the effect is smaller than screening status. People who have had many sexual partners or who became sexually active at a young age have higher exposure to HPV, but this risk is largely offset by screening. Screening status matters more than sexual history in determining whether cervical cancer actually develops.
People who were not vaccinated against HPV have a higher baseline risk than those who were, but screening still prevents most cases. The vaccine is now recommended for people up to age 45 who were not vaccinated earlier, though protection is highest when given before age 26.
How cervical cancer rates compare to other cancers
Cervical cancer accounts for roughly 1 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States. Breast cancer is diagnosed about 12 times more often, and lung cancer about 8 times more often. Colorectal cancer is also more common than cervical cancer.
The low rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. is a direct result of screening. If screening stopped, cervical cancer rates would rise over time as precancerous changes progressed to cancer. This is what happens in countries without screening access—cervical cancer becomes one of the leading cancer diagnoses.
What happens after a cervical cancer diagnosis
Survival rates for cervical cancer depend on the stage at diagnosis. Cancers caught at stage 1 (the earliest stage) have a five-year survival rate above 90 percent. Cancers caught at stage 2 have a five-year survival rate around 80 percent. Rates drop significantly for later stages, which is why screening—which catches precancerous changes before cancer develops at all—is so effective.
Treatment usually involves surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination, depending on the stage and other factors. The goal of screening is to prevent reaching the point where treatment is needed, since preventing cancer is always better than treating it.
Screening recommendations and when to start
Current U.S. guidelines recommend Pap testing beginning at age 21 (some organizations say 25) and continuing every three years if results are normal. HPV testing alone can be done every five years, or Pap and HPV testing together can be done every five years. People with abnormal results need follow-up testing or procedures, which your healthcare provider will explain.
Screening can usually stop at age 65 or 70 if you have had consistently normal results and are not at high risk. People with a history of abnormal results or those who are immunocompromised may need to continue screening longer. Your healthcare provider can tell you what schedule makes sense for your situation based on your screening history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cervical cancer hereditary?
No. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection, not by inherited genes. You cannot inherit a predisposition to cervical cancer the way you can with some other cancers. However, if a family member had cervical cancer, that may be a reminder to make sure you are up to date on screening.
Can men get cervical cancer?
No. Cervical cancer occurs only in people with a cervix. Men can carry and transmit HPV, and HPV can cause other cancers in men (throat and anal cancer, for example), but cervical cancer is specific to people with a cervix.
If I was vaccinated against HPV, do I still need screening?
Yes. The HPV vaccine prevents infection with the most common cancer-causing types, but not all of them. Screening is still recommended because it catches any precancerous changes that do occur. Your healthcare provider can tell you the right screening schedule for you.
What is the difference between HPV and cervical cancer?
HPV is a virus that most sexually active people encounter at some point. Most HPV infections clear on their own within a year or two. Cervical cancer develops only when a high-risk HPV type persists for many years without being detected and treated. Screening catches the precancerous stage before cancer develops.
Can cervical cancer come back after treatment?
Yes, recurrence is possible, which is why follow-up care and monitoring are important after treatment. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for check-ups and any additional screening needed. The risk of recurrence depends on the stage of the original cancer and the type of treatment used.