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Expanding Access to Cervical Cancer Screening and Care

By Marketing

Staff Writer

January 19, 2026 in Patient-centric Care

Raising Awareness During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on one of the most preventable cancers affecting women today. While cervical cancer once claimed thousands of lives each year, advances in screening technology, early detection and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination have significantly improved outcomes.

Still, about 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, with approximately 4,000 deaths each year. This reality underscores why raising awareness, encouraging regular screening and expanding access to care remain essential priorities in women’s health.

Why Screening Saves Lives

Cervical cancer screening is one of the most effective cancer prevention tools available. Routine screenings, including Pap tests and HPV testing, can identify cellular changes long before they develop into cancer, allowing for early intervention, when treatment is most successful.

When cervical cancer is detected at stage 1 and confined to the cervix, the five-year survival rate is between 90% and 95%. Survival rates drop significantly as the disease progresses, with five-year survival for stage 4 disease falling to about 15%. This dramatic difference highlights why screening is not just recommended — it can be lifesaving.

Expanding Access Through Community-Based Care

American Oncology Network (AON) remains committed to expanding community-based oncology services to ensure patients can receive high-quality care close to home. By increasing the availability of preventative services in local communities, AON helps reduce disparities and makes screening more accessible to those who need it most.

Addressing Barriers to Preventative Care

Despite the proven benefits of screening, significant barriers prevent many women from receiving this critical preventative care. Lack of access to healthcare facilities, cost concerns, limited health literacy, and fear or discomfort surrounding pelvic examinations all contribute to lower screening rates. These challenges often create disparities, with underserved communities facing the greatest obstacles.

New Screening Options Offer Hope

Recent developments offer promise in overcoming these barriers. In a change medical experts say will help expand access and improve detection, the American Cancer Society has endorsed self-collected vaginal samples for cervical cancer screening.

Self-collected tests are typically performed in clinical settings during visits with primary care physicians or family doctors, though at-home options are beginning to emerge. This approach may benefit individuals who are uncomfortable with pelvic exams or who lack easy access to clinical facilities. While clinician-collected cervical samples remain the preferred method, self-collection provides an important alternative.

Updated Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals with a cervix at average risk begin screening at age 25 and continue until at least age 65. The preferred approach is primary HPV testing every five years using a cervical sample collected by a health care provider.

Alternative options include self-collected HPV testing every three years, co-testing (HPV test combined with a Pap test) every five years, or a Pap test alone every three years if other options are not available. Updated guidelines also indicate that many women with a recent history of consecutive negative tests can stop screening at age 65.

Support Resources for Patients and Families

No one should face barriers to cervical cancer screening alone. Several non-profit organizations provide support for cervical cancer patients, caregivers and families nationwide, including:

Beyond oncology specialists, gynecologists and primary care providers play vital roles in cervical cancer prevention and early detection. If cost or access concerns are preventing you from getting screened, talk with your care team about available support programs and resources in your area.

Know the Symptoms and Take Action

Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms in its earliest stages, reinforcing why regular screening is so critical. When symptoms do appear, they may include abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after intercourse or after menopause), unusual vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately.

Prevention Starts With Awareness

This Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, take charge of your health. Stay informed about screening guidelines, schedule regular screenings and share these resources with the women in your life. If you haven’t been screened recently or face barriers to accessing care, reach out to your healthcare provider or one of the support organizations listed above.

At AON, our mission is to deliver accessible, patient-centered cancer care in communities across the country. By working together to expand access to screening and education, we can continue to reduce cervical cancer rates and save lives. Prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have – and it starts with awareness.