Nearly 100% preventable. Still claiming too many lives.
We have the power to eliminate cervical cancer. Learn how it develops and how simple, routine screening can prevent it entirely.
13,820
new invasive cervical cancer cases estimated in the US in 2026 1
~50%
of cervical cancers occur in women that are not screening
30-44
year olds are seeing a rise in cervical cancer cases
It starts in the cervix —and it starts with HPV.
Cervical cancer starts in the cervix — the lowest portion of the uterus, where it connects to the vagina. It is almost always caused by a long-lasting, high-risk HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection that alters cervical cells over time.
It starts in the cervix —and it starts with HPV.
Cervical cancer starts in the cervix — the lowest portion of the uterus, where it connects to the vagina. It is almost always caused by a long-lasting, high-risk HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection that alters cervical cells over time.
01
HPV infection
HPV enters cervical cells
Nearly all cervical cancers begin with HPV — most often one of 14 high-risk types. HPV is common and usually temporary.
02
Persistent infection
The virus doesn't clear
In a small number of cases, the immune system doesn't clear HPV on its own. It persists silently — no symptoms, no visible signs.
03
Cell changes
Abnormal cells begin forming
Persistent high-risk HPV can cause cervical cells to change in structure. These changes, called dysplasia, are detectable by screening.
04
Precancer (CIN 2/3)
Changes become more severe
Without detection, cellular changes can progress to precancerous lesions. Treatment at this stage is highly effective and prevents cancer from forming.
05
Invasive cancer
Cells invade surrounding tissue
If precancerous lesions go undetected and untreated for years, they may develop into invasive cervical cancer — a process that typically takes 5–10 years, or more.
Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable with routine screening
Yet it remains one of the most common cancers affecting people with a cervix. When you screen with Teal, your sample is tested for the high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer isn't a random burden — it falls unevenly.
The traditional in-clinic screening process is resulting in health inequities that at-home self-collection can address.
Cervical cancer has risen to become the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in young women — and incidence rates in the 30–44 age group have been increasing over the past decade.4
Hispanic women are approximately 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer compared to non-Hispanic white women, often linked to lower screening rates and access barriers.3
Black and Native American / Alaska Native women experience death rates from cervical cancer approximately 65% higher than non-Hispanic white women — a gap driven largely by systemic inequities in care.4
Despite having lower overall diagnosis rates, Asian women are the least likely racial group to be up to date on cervical cancer screening, reflecting cultural and language access barriers.5
Three actions that can eliminate cervical cancer.
With regular screening, vaccination, and timely follow-up, cervical cancer can be eliminated.
Regular Screening: The ACS recommends primary HPV testing every 3 years (for self-collect) for ages 25–65 — and it can now be done at home.
Vaccination: Gardasil 9 vaccination protects against 9 high-risk HPV strains, including types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancers.
Timely Follow-up: If a test comes back positive, timely follow-up with a provider prevents the vast majority of precancers from ever progressing to cancer.
Get answers to your questions
Nearly all cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV is a very common virus that most sexually active people are exposed to at some point. In most cases, HPV clears on its own. But when certain high-risk types persist, they can cause changes to cervical cells over many years that may develop into cancer. This is why routine screening for HPV is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer.
Yes. Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable with routine screening. Screening tests detect HPV or abnormal cell changes before cancer develops, allowing for early treatment. The American Cancer Society reports that cervical cancer rarely occurs in people who have been getting regular screening tests. The HPV vaccine also provides strong protection, but does not eliminate the need to screen.
Anyone with a cervix can develop cervical cancer. The primary risk factor is persistent infection with high-risk HPV. Additional risk factors include not being screened regularly, having a weakened immune system, smoking, and having had multiple sexual partners. Certain racial and ethnic groups face higher rates of diagnosis and death due to disparities in access to screening and follow-up care.
Early-stage cervical cancer and precancer typically cause no symptoms at all, which is why routine screening is essential. When symptoms do appear, they may include abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex, or after menopause), unusual discharge, or pelvic pain. By the time symptoms are noticeable, the cancer may be more advanced. Routine screening can catch cervical cancer at the precancer stage, before symptoms develop.
An estimated 13,820 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed in the US annually, and approximately 4,360 women die from the disease each year. More than 50% of cervical cancer cases occur in women who are not up to date on their screening. Cervical cancer incidence has been rising among women aged 30 to 44, and it has become the third most common cancer death among young women.
Cervical cancer incidence in the US has been increasing among women aged 30 to 44. Contributing factors include declining screening rates, gaps in HPV vaccination coverage, and the time lag between HPV infection and cancer development. As fewer women screen on schedule, more cases are being caught at later stages or missed entirely.
When cervical cancer is detected at an early, localized stage, the five-year survival rate is over 90%. When caught at a later stage after it has spread, survival rates drop significantly. This is why routine screening is so critical. Screening detects precancer before it becomes invasive, when it is most treatable and often curable.