Cervical Cancer 101: What you should know about new screening guidelines

January 7, 2026

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable—and treatable—types of cancer when caught early. Most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of Human papillomavirus (HPV).

Risk factors include:

Having persistent high-risk HPV infection.
Smoking, which can weaken the immune system’s ability to clear HPV infections.
A weakened immune system, or other conditions that impair immunity.

What you can do to prevent cervical cancer

Get vaccinated against HPV (for those eligible).
Practice safe sexual health.
Avoid or quit smoking.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, regular exercise, and regular medical care.
Stay up-to-date on recommended screening tests.

Why screening matters

Regular cervical cancer screening is a powerful tool. Screening has been the primary reason cervical cancer incidence and death rates have dropped dramatically over the past several decades.

Screening aims to detect early changes in cervical cells or the presence of HPV before cancer develops. Early detection allows for treatment of precancerous changes, preventing cancer from ever developing or catching it at an early, more treatable stage.

Updated screening guidelines

Recently, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines, bringing important updates that expand access and modernize how screening works.

What’s New	What It Means for You
Self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing are now an acceptable option	Individuals can now collect their own sample, in a clinical setting or at home (when FDA-approved), rather than relying solely on clinician-collected cervical swabs.
Screening starts at age 25 (for average-risk individuals with a cervix)	Cervical cancer is rare before 25, and this change reflects evidence that starting later balances benefits vs. risks.
Primary HPV testing every 5 years is now preferred from age 25 to 65	This test looks for the virus that causes most cervical cancers, giving earlier, more sensitive detection.
If self-collected HPV test is used, repeat every 3 years (if negative)	Because self-collection may be slightly less controlled than clinician-collected samples, the recommended screening interval is shorter.
If primary HPV testing isn’t available: co-testing (HPV + Pap) every 5 years, or Pap alone every 3 years remains acceptable	For those who don’t have access to HPV-only testing, options remain flexible.
New guidance on when to safely stop screening	For average-risk individuals with consistently negative tests, screening can stop between ages 60 and 65 under defined conditions.

What do the updated screening guidelines mean for you?

First and foremost, they provide more comfortable and flexible options. Self-collection offers privacy and convenience, which can help people who avoid pelvic exams because of discomfort, past trauma, mobility issues, or lack of access to clinics.

The new screening guidelines are also intended to reduce barriers for underserved communities. For people in rural areas, with limited transportation, inflexible work schedules, or childcare responsibilities, self-collection could make screening much more accessible.

Plus, these new guidelines help us maintain strong protection through screening while reducing over-testing. By recommending high-sensitivity HPV testing on a schedule supported by data, while offering clear rules on when screening can stop, the new guidelines help balance early detection with avoiding unnecessary procedures.