Rising Incidence of Cervical Cancer Among Millennial Women
CancerCervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Is on the Rise in Millennial Women

Cervical Cancer Is on the Rise in Millennial Women
getty images
By
Updated on January 22, 2026
by
After decades of decline, cervical cancer is on the rise among millennial women. A study published in JAMA in 2022 revealed that the incidence of the disease since 2012 has risen by an average of 2.5 percent per year among women 30 to 34 years old.

“The recent increase in cervical cancer among millennial women is a public health concern,” says Ashish Deshmukh, PhD, MPH, the lead investigator of the study and co-leader of the cancer control program at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston. Here’s what the study found and what you can do to protect yourself.

Understanding the Research

The millennial generation includes those born between 1981 and 1996 (ages 23-38 in 2019). The study published in JAMA, which surveyed women in all 50 states between 2001 and 2019, found that the incidence of cervical cancer rose for millennials, while it decreased or stayed the same in all other age groups.

Specifically, the incidence — or the number of newly diagnosed cases during this period of time — fell among the youngest age group (under 24 years) as well as the oldest age group (55 and older) and remained relatively stable among 35- to 54-year-old women. But among women ages 30 to 34, cases have been rising since 2012, ultimately reaching an annual increase of almost 12 percent by 2019.

Experts Say Lack of Screening Is to Blame for the Rise of Cervical Cancer

While study authors say it’s possible the increase in cervical cancer among millennial women is due in part to better detection, the more likely explanation is missed screening. In fact, research shows a decline in screening in millennials in particular.

One study published in JAMA Network Open found that of 20,557 U.S. women surveyed between 2005 and 2019, the percentage of those overdue for cervical cancer screening rose from 14 percent to 23 percent over those 14 years. And women ages 21 to 29 were significantly more likely to be overdue for screening than those between the ages of 30 and 65.

“Cervical cancer is preventable,” says Ryan Suk, PhD, an assistant professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta and the first author of the screening study. “But the incidence of the disease is higher than it should be, in part because a considerable number of women aren’t being screened in a timely manner.”

Barriers to Screening

Cervical cancer is nearly entirely preventable thanks to available screening methods, including human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and Pap smears. These tests are so effective they’ve essentially knocked cervical cancer — long one of the most deadly cancers among women in the United States — so far down the list that it’s currently not even in the top 10.

So why aren’t women getting screened? The most common reason given by participants in the JAMA Network Open study was “lack of knowledge,” which rose from 45 percent to 55 percent during the study period, followed by “not receiving recommendations from health care professionals,” which increased from 6 percent to 12 percent.

“The increase in the proportion of women who said they did not know screening was needed or that they did not have a recommendation from a healthcare provider is surprising and concerning,” said Veronica Chollette, RN, a program director of the National Cancer Institute’s Health Systems and Interventions Research Branch, in a release on the study from the National Cancer Institute.

Meanwhile, another unfortunate cervical cancer trend is emerging among millennials, which experts say is also due to lack of screening at earlier ages. Analyzing data from 2001 to 2017, a group of researchers discovered late-stage cervical cancer is on the rise in the United States, with a particularly high rate of increase among millennials, at 3.4 percent a year.

Strong Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer

About 99.7 percent of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact.

 While most cases of HPV resolve within a couple of years without causing any health problems, sometimes the virus lingers.

Lingering infection with high-risk HPV can set in motion a series of changes that, over time, turn healthy cervical cells into abnormal cells. Left unchecked, these abnormal cells can become precancerous and eventually cancerous unless they’re surgically removed.

Indeed, the lack of screenings can create missed opportunities for critical follow-up care. “It is also likely that fewer women are receiving necessary follow-up care, including treatment for precancer,” Dr. Deshmukh says.

HPV Prevention

While there’s no cure for the HPV virus itself, effective vaccines are available. Research shows that HPV vaccination dramatically reduces the incidence of cervical cancer, particularly when women are vaccinated at a younger age.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends girls and boys receive the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12 years, although it can be started at age 9. (The vaccine is recommended for boys because it can prevent infection with HPV types that cause cancers of the mouth, throat, penis, and anus, as well as genital warts.)

Teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible.

 The HPV vaccine isn’t typically recommended for adults older than 26, mostly because they have probably already been exposed to HPV. The vaccine — which works best before any exposure to HPV — prevents new HPV infections but doesn’t treat existing infections or disease.

Cervical Cancer Screening

As effective as the HPV vaccine is, it’s not perfect, nor is it a reason to skip cervical cancer screening. There are two primary ways to screen for cervical cancer: the HPV test and the Pap smear.

Both tests involve swabbing cells from the cervix, but they look for different things and have different collection methods. An HPV test tests solely for high-risk HPV strains, while a Pap smear involves inspecting the collected cells for abnormalities that may become precancerous or cancerous.

While your doctor can perform both tests, and may co-test (perform both together), it’s now possible to request a self-collected HPV test. You’ll still need your doctor to order your testing kit approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but this option allows you to administer your own test.

Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society’s preferred screening option for women ages 21 to 65 at average risk is an HPV test performed by your healthcare provider every 5 years.

Other options include self-collected HPV testing every 3 years, co-testing every 5 years, and a Pap smear every 3 years.

In general, women older than 65 do not need routine cervical cancer screening as long as they’ve consistently had negative test results in the last 10 years. In some cases, however, healthcare providers may recommend continued Pap testing.

The Takeaway

  • Cervical cancer rates have been on the rise among millennial women.
  • A significant factor contributing to this rise appears to be delayed or missed screenings for cervical cancer, primarily due to a lack of awareness.
  • Cervical cancer is largely preventable through regular screenings and the HPV vaccination, which is recommended starting at age 11 or 12.
  • If you notice any concerning symptoms or are due for a routine cervical cancer screening, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to ensure early detection and better outcomes.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
nimit-sudan-bio

Nimit Sudan, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Nimit Sudan, MD, is a hematologist and medical oncologist with UCLA. He is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA and serves as a lead physician at the Encino community practice. He has a special interest in integrative medicine and oncology.

Dr. Sudan provides comprehensive care for adult patients with all types of hematologic and oncologic conditions. His mission is to treat every patient with the utmost compassion and care, and to develop a strong doctor-patient relationship. He is passionate about patient and family education, and educating larger communities on cancer awareness and prevention. He also has a special interest in integrative medicine, and is certified in acupuncture.

Sudan is from the Midwest, and received both his medical degree and bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and his hematology/oncology fellowship at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh.

See full bio
Hilary-Macht-Bio

Hilary Macht

Author

Hilary Macht is a New York City–based freelance writer covering health, science, and environment with a focus on the relationships among food, food culture, environment, and health. Her work has appeared in dozens of media outlets, including The New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, Prevention, MORE, Essence, Civil Eats, EndocrineWeb, OnTrack Diabetes, and others, and is distributed by the National Center for Health Research and the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making.

Previously a senior editor at American Health for Women and health features editor at McCall’s, she’s been a frequent guest on national network and cable news shows including Today in New York (NBC), In Food Today (Food Network), CNBC, and others, and her groundbreaking story on Big Pharma and the media was featured on the CBS Evening News. She has a master's degree in science writing from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Shahmoradi Z et al. Cervical Cancer Incidence Among US Women, 2001-2019. JAMA. November 21, 2022.
  2. Suk R et al. Assessment of US Preventive Services Task Force Guideline–Concordant Cervical Cancer Screening Rates and Reasons for Underscreening by Age, Race and Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Rurality, and Insurance, 2005 to 2019. JAMA Network Open. January 18, 2022.
  3. Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. American Cancer Society. January 14, 2026.
  4. Explore Cancer Statistics. American Cancer Society.
  5. Winstead E. Why Are Many Women Overdue for Cervical Cancer Screening? National Cancer Institute. February 22, 2022.
  6. Salamon M. Late-Stage Cervical Cancer on the Rise: What to Know. Harvard Health Publishing. February 7, 2023.
  7. Eliminating Cervical Cancer: The Impact of Screening and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 24, 2025.
  8. Basu P et al. Vaccine Efficacy Against Persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 Infection at 10 Years After One, Two, and Three Doses of Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine in Girls in India: A Multicentre, Prospective, Cohort Study. The Lancet Oncology. November 2021.
  9. HPV Vaccination Recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 16, 2021.
  10. The American Cancer Society Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening. American Cancer Society. December 4, 2025.