More young women are going without crucial cervical cancer screening
Image credit: silverkblack via Unsplash
Nearly one in three young American women has never been screened for cervical cancer, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. This is concerning because cervical cancer often develops slowly and may cause few symptoms in its early stages. Routine screening with HPV testing and/or Pap tests can detect abnormal cells before they become more serious. Delayed or missed screening can lead to diagnosis at a later stage, when treatment may be more complex and outcomes less favorable.
Source
Sonawane K, Damgacioglu H, Amboree TL, et al. Rates of Never Receiving Cervical Cancer Screening Among US Women, 2005-2023. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(8):e2631550. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.31550
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/01/health/cervical-cancer-screening-women-wellness
https://www.medicaldaily.com/cervical-cancer-never-screened-women-jama-study-2005-2023-477969