Home / Health / New HPV Guidelines: Simpler Cervical Cancer Screening
New HPV Guidelines: Simpler Cervical Cancer Screening
4 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Self-collected vaginal specimens are now acceptable for cervical cancer screening.
- New guidelines recommend starting screening at age 25 and every five years.
- Self-screening can help reduce geographic disparities in cervical cancer care.
The American Cancer Society has updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines, now accepting self-collected vaginal specimens for HPV testing alongside preferred clinician-collected samples. These changes, published on December 4, 2025, aim to enhance screening adherence and decrease cervical cancer incidence.
Average-risk individuals are advised to commence screening at age 25, opting for primary HPV testing every five years until age 65. The guidelines specify when screening can be safely discontinued based on negative test results. Co-testing, combining HPV and Pap tests, is also detailed, alongside alternatives for primary HPV testing unavailability.
These updated recommendations are particularly crucial for addressing geographic and socioeconomic disparities in cervical cancer care, where rural populations face higher mortality rates. Self-collection options offer a vital resource for individuals in underserved communities, symbolizing a significant stride towards eradicating cancer.
