The rate of cervical cancer growing in the 1930s, 40s – what to do about it

The rate of cervical cancer is increasing among young women, due to lack of awareness, review and prevention.

A new study found that the percentage of women examined for cervical cancer dropped from 47% in 2019 to 41% in 2023.

Among the most preventable cancers, cervical cancer has been increasing in women in their 30s and 40s in particular. Experts say this population is less likely to be updated in their performances, with 29% delayed.

Cervical cancer begins in the cervical cells, which binds the uterus and the vagina. It is slow to develop, growing quietly for months or even years before it is diagnosed. Before developing in cancer, it presents as abnormal cell changes and precursors.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US

CDC estimates that more than 42 million Americans have a HPV strain, with about 13 million people infected each year.

Over 90% of HPV -related cancers can be prevented by HPV vaccination.

However, previous research has shown a sharp decline in public awareness with which HPV is connected Some cancers, including cervix, oral, penil and anal.

The HPV vaccine for girls and women between the ages of nine and 26 was approved by the CDC in 2006. She expanded to boys and men in 2009 to protect against anal, oral and penile cancers.

Original HPV shots protected by the two most dangerous types of virus, responsible for 70% of cervical cancers.

However, the updated HPV shots now store against nine strains, effectively protecting patients against 90% of cervical and anal cancers, as well as most strains that cause oral and throat cancers.

Due to the vaccine change, those who are vaccinated can still suffer progress infections and test positively for HPV.

CDC recommends that children receive HPV vaccination at about 11 or 12, with two doses recommended before their 15th birthday. Three doses are recommended for those who start the series later.

While experts claim that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, doubt continues, and parents, in particular, appear resistant to their children’s registration in the preventive protocol.

About 54.5% of US teens have received all the recommended doses of the HPV vaccine, while the Government’s target is to reach an 80% vaccine rate for those between the ages of 10 and 19.

Starting at 25, the American Cancer Society recommends that patients have a primary HPV test every five years until they reach 65.

But some experts claim that women between 25 and 49 should be examined every three years.

While there are more than 200 HPV strains, only a small portion of high -risk strains cause cancer.

“These types are included in routine appearances of cervical cancer because they have the highest chance of causing cancer. If an HPV test is positive for high risk HPV, it shows an active infection that increases the risk of developing a cancer or cancer,” Dr. Verda Hicks, the immediate president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told NBC News.

Up to 20% of women first examined in the 20s or 30s learn that they have high risk HPV.

While there is no cure for HPV, the immune system usually cleans HPV infections within a year or two. Those with high risk strains experience short -term infections and cellular changes that return to normal when the infection is cleaned.

It is the cause of concern when the infection persists for more than two years, as this can lead to the development of precursor or cancerous cells, making it a sustainable critical examination for care.

HPV does not disappear from the body completely and can be reactivated when the immune system is taxed by illness or treatment.

According to Hicks, 1% of people with HPV develop a long infection, chronic infection and even less develop cervical cancer.

Formerly a major cause of cancer death for American women, cervical cancer level has fallen by more than 50% since the mid-1970s, mainly thanks to the HPV vaccine and review, according to the American Association of Cancer (ACS).

Today, cervical cancer is very treatable if detected early – but the challenge is that the disease often shows no symptoms until it has already progressed. This makes the stay at the top of the shows important.

The Aâ 2022 study found that between 2005 and 2019, the percentage of late women for cervical appearances increased from 14% to 19%. The main reasons? Lack of awareness of the need for show or simply not knowing when you get them.

Women living in rural areas are 25% more likely to be diagnosed and 42% more likely to die from cervical cancer compared to women living in urban areas. The team believes that this disturbing trend reflects lower levels of review and vaccination.

A 2024 study found that women who are non -white, uninsured, or identified as LGBTQ+ are also less likely to be examined for cervical cancer.

ACS estimates that in 2025, there will be about 13,360 new cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in the US, and 4,320 women will die from the disease.