Each year, about 13,360 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 4,320 die from the disease. While rates of cervical cancer have declined due to advances in screening and vaccination, medical professionals emphasize that continued vigilance is necessary.
Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed between ages 35 and 64, with an average diagnosis age around 50. Despite evidence supporting regular screening, more than half of new cases occur in people who have never been screened or are rarely screened.
The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens but can be given to adults up to age 45. Dr. Ruth Stephenson, gynecologic oncologist at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, said: “While most HPV infections clear naturally, certain high-risk strains can progress to cancer. Vaccination offers powerful first-line protection.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV contributes to over 47,000 cancer cases each year in the U.S.
Screening remains central to prevention efforts. The Pap test identifies precancerous changes on the cervix; the HPV test detects the virus responsible for those changes. Both tests are performed in clinical settings.
For individuals aged 21–29, Pap testing should begin at age 21; if results are normal, a three-year interval before the next test may be recommended. For those aged 30–65, several options exist: primary HPV testing alone (potentially every five years if normal), co-testing with both Pap and HPV tests (also potentially every five years if both are normal), or Pap testing alone (every three years if normal). Medical providers recommend continuing routine care and following doctor’s advice for early detection.
Researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health are also working on new treatments for advanced cases linked to HPV. Two recent studies led by Dr. Christian Hinrichs examined novel T cell therapies targeting advanced epithelial cancers related to HPV infection.
In one Phase II trial using genetically engineered T cell receptor-T cells designed to target an HPV16 protein in patients with metastatic cancers, substantial tumor shrinkage was observed in six out of ten participants; two experienced complete responses lasting more than eleven months.
Another study reported that two patients with metastatic cervical cancer remained in complete remission ten years after a single infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy—demonstrating that cellular therapy could produce durable responses even after other treatments have failed.
Progress over past decades has reduced both incidence and mortality from cervical cancer due largely to increased screening and higher vaccination rates among women aged 30–44. However, disparities remain among older adults and underserved groups—making ongoing participation in recommended screenings essential throughout adulthood.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute encourage everyone eligible for screening or vaccination to speak with their healthcare provider about staying current on recommendations.
