In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated cervical cancer screening guidelines. The updates reflect evolving evidence on screening technologies and aim to improve early detection while addressing persistent gaps in access and equity.1
Cervical cancer screening has substantially reduced both incidence and mortality in recent decades. However, less than 50% of cervical cancer cases in the United States are diagnosed at an early stage.² Many women remain inadequately screened, particularly those facing structural, socioeconomic or geographic barriers to care.
Screening recommendations by age
The updated guidelines continue to recommend routine cervical cancer screening for average-risk women ages 21 to 65, with a greater emphasis on high-risk human papillomavirus (harp) testing for women ages 30 to 65.
For women ages 30 to 65, primary hrHPV testing alone every five years is now the favored strategy because of its higher sensitivity for detecting precancerous lesions compared with cytology (Pap testing) alone — approximately 95% versus 50% to 70%.³
For women ages 21 to 29, the guidelines continue to recommend cytology alone every three years. Cytology every three years remains an acceptable alternative for women over 30 when hrHPV testing is not available.
Self-collection expands screening options
Notably, the updated recommendations endorse hrHPV self-collection as a viable screening option. Allowing women to collect their own samples, in clinical settings or at home, helps to overcome common barriers such as discomfort with pelvic examinations, limited access to clinics and time constraints.
Evidence shows that self-collected samples perform comparably to clinician-collected samples in detecting high-risk HPV, making self-collection a promising strategy to increase screening participation.
Insurance coverage and follow-up care
The updated recommendations also have important implications for insurance coverage. Under the new guidance, private insurers are required to cover cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, as well as any follow-up diagnostic testing or procedures needed after an abnormal screening result.
This policy change addresses a longstanding barrier to care. Out-of-pocket costs have deterred many patients from completing follow-up evaluations, undermining the effectiveness of screening programs.
Advancing equity in cervical cancer prevention
By promoting more sensitive screening methods, including self-collection options, and reducing financial barriers, the updated guidelines have the potential to further reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality, particularly among underserved populations.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER CARE AT NORTHSIDE
References:
- Health Resources and Services Administration. Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines. Accessed December 22, 2025. https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines.
- Christine, B., M. Bush, and A. Thurakal. “New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Strengthening Women’s Preventive Health.” JAMA (2025). https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.26456.
- Tewari, K. “Cervical Cancer.” New England Journal of Medicine 392, no. 2 (2025): 56–71. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2404457.
