January’s Cervical Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on prevention and new screening tools that are changing outcomes for women.
Cervical cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably and may spread to surrounding tissue or other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 4,000 women in the United States die from cervical cancer each year. While all women are at risk, Black women are twice as likely to die from the disease.
Local impacts
In South Carolina alone, approximately 195 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, according to the SC Cancer Alliance. In its early stages, cervical cancer often shows no signs or symptoms, making routine screening especially critical. However, it is also one of the most preventable gynecologic cancers with regular screenings and follow-up care from a health care provider.
Heather Miles, assistant professor and women’s health care expert at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, emphasizes that cervical cancer is not just a medical issue, but a health equity issue. “Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we see in women, yet far too many are still being diagnosed late or dying from a disease we know how to stop. When women lack access to routine screening, follow-up care, or trustworthy health education, the consequences can be devastating—particularly for Black women and those living in underserved communities.”
Why screening matters
When detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable. The CDC recommends that women begin routine Pap and HPV testing at age 21, with screenings conducted every three to five years. These tests detect precancerous changes or abnormal cells on the cervix before they can develop into cancer.
Recent updates to cervical cancer screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society aim to further expand preventive care options for women. A new self-collection test, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allows eligible women to collect samples at home rather than visiting a health care provider for an exam. The Health Resources and Services Administration has endorsed these tests for women ages 30 to 65 who are considered at average risk.
Research shows that offering self-collection and other flexible screening options can increase screening participation, especially among underserved populations. Even small increases in screening rates can translate into meaningful reductions in cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Over the past several decades, cervical cancer rates and deaths have declined significantly, largely due to the widespread use of Pap test screening. Health experts say expanding access to new screening options could further reduce barriers to care and help more women receive lifesaving early detection.