Cervical cancer — the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide — is highly preventable when detected early through routine screenings and vaccinations.¹ Cervical cancer screening has dramatically reduced the burden of disease in the United States, with rates decreasing by more than half from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s.² More recently, from 2016 to 2021, cervical cancer mortality declined steeply among vaccinated women under age 25.³

Despite advances in screening and prevention, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that as many as 13,490 women will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2026.²

Additional studies have projected that cervical cancer cases may more than double by 2050, due in part to health care barriers such as socioeconomic status and access to care.⁴ The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 cites persistent and widening inequities in access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. It calls for a people-centered approach to cancer control and prevention.⁵

Screening recommendations

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend the following age-specific screening guidelines:^1,6

• Ages 21–29: Perform Pap test every three years.
• Ages 30–65: Use one of these options:
  • Pap test every three years.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years.
  • Co-test (Pap and HPV) every five years.
• Ages 66 and older: Stop screening if there is a history of adequate prior screenings and no high risk.

In December 2025, the ACS updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines to include the following:⁷

• Option of self-collection of samples for HPV testing, although clinician-collected cervical samples are still preferred. Self-collected screening should be repeated every three years.
• Clarification on when average-risk patients who are 65 and older can safely stop routine screening if they have a history of adequate negative tests.

It is important to assess individual risk factors, such as immunosuppression and prior abnormal results, as well as emphasize to patients the importance of regular screening, even if they are asymptomatic.

Prevention through HPV vaccination

HPV is responsible for 99.7 percent of cervical cancer cases, yet only 68 percent of the U.S. population is aware of the virus and its link to cancer.⁸ Importantly, unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination.

The HPV vaccine not only protects against cervical cancer, but it helps prevent other HPV-related cancers, including those of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat.⁹ Early vaccination has been shown to reduce cervical precancers by 40 percent and the overall risk of developing cervical cancer by more than 80 percent.⁸

The CDC recommends that HPV vaccinations start at ages 11–12, with the option to begin as early as age 9, and catch-up vaccinations are available through age 26. For those aged 27–45, vaccination may be considered based on individual risk factors and shared decision-making.¹⁰

For additional information and resources regarding the HPV vaccine, read this article: Growing momentum for starting HPV vaccination at ages 9–10.

Talking with your patients

Providers are essential in guiding patients through screening decisions, educating them about the HPV vaccine, and ensuring equal access to preventive care.

Discussing cervical cancer prevention, including screenings and HPV vaccinations, can be sensitive. Providers can build trust and understanding by:

• Normalizing the process: Present screenings and vaccinations as routine components of preventive health care.
• Clarifying the purpose: Explain that screenings detect precancerous changes before they become cancer, while the HPV vaccination prevents infections that cause most cervical cancers.
• Addressing stigma: Use neutral, nonjudgmental language when discussing HPV. Reassure patients that HPV is common and that vaccination is a proactive step toward cancer prevention.
• Using visuals and handouts: Provide clear educational materials to enhance patient understanding of anatomy, procedures, and vaccination benefits.

By facilitating discussion about both screening and vaccination, providers can empower patients to take charge of their health and contribute to the broader goal of eradicating cervical cancer.

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures

Each year, Cigna Healthcare^® collects data for the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®)¹¹ by requesting medical records from providers. This industry-wide method helps compare and assess a health plan’s performance in a variety of areas, including cervical cancer screening.

For information on the HEDIS measures related to cervical cancer screening, visit the National Committee for Quality Assurance HEDIS Measures and Technical Resources web page.

Coverage

Effective January 1, 2027, Cigna Healthcare will cover at-home, self-collected testing for customers at no cost. Additional testing that may be required for a positive result will also be covered. The updates are intended to broaden access, remove screening barriers, and improve screening compliance.

Cigna Healthcare also typically covers routine screenings and vaccinations at no cost when administered at in-network locations. Our Preventive Care Services (A004) administrative policy includes additional information about coverage.

To find a list of in-network providers, go to the provider directory on Cigna.com. Your patients can also locate in-network providers by logging in to myCigna.com or the myCigna^® App.

1. WHO. “Cervical cancer.” WHO. Last accessed 13 August 2026. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer#tab=tab_1.
2. ACS. “Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer.” ACS. 14 January 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html.
3. Poria Dorali, et al. “Cervical Cancer Mortality Among US Women Younger Than 25 Years, 1992-2021.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 27 November 2024. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2827212.
4. Jie Wu, et al. “Global burden of cervical cancer: current estimates, temporal trend and future projections based on the GLOBOCAN 2022.” Journal of the National Cancer Center. June 2025. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667005425000134.
5. WHO. “WHO calls for urgent action as new cancer cases are projected to nearly double by 2050.” WHO. 08 July 2026. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/08-07-2026-who-calls-for-urgent-action-as-new-cancer-cases-are-projected-to-nearly-double-by-2050.
6. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). “Cervical Cancer: Screening [Final Recommendation Statement].” USPSTF. 21 August 2018. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/cervical-cancer-screening.
7. ACS. “American Cancer Society Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guideline: Major Changes Include Self-Collection for HPV Testing and Guidance on Exiting Screening.” Press release. 04 December 2025. Retrieved from https://pressroom.cancer.org/updated-cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines-2025.
8. Samah Nabi, et al. “Eliminating Cervical Cancer: the Impact of Screening and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination.” CDC. 24 July 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/25_0127.htm.
9. CDC. “Cancers Linked with HPV Each Year.” CDC. 03 December 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/cases.html.
10. CDC. “HPV Vaccine Recommendations.” CDC. 09 July 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/vaccination-considerations/index.html.
11. HEDIS^® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).