A Preventable Cancer Still Claiming Lives
Despite advances in HPV vaccination and cervical screening, cervical cancer continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease caused approximately 350,000 deaths in 2022, making it a persistent global health threat.
While commonly perceived as a younger woman’s disease, new research reveals a worrying rise in cervical cancer among women aged 65 and older, many of whom are no longer routinely screened. This latest study—spanning over 2 million women—challenges long-standing public health guidance and calls for urgent policy reevaluation.
What the Study Reveals – A Dangerous Assumption About Age
Older Women More Likely to Carry High-Risk HPV
A large-scale study published in Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine analyzed cervical screening results from more than 2 million women in China between 2017 and 2023. Of these, 17,420 were aged 65 or older.
Key findings include:
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Nearly 14% of women aged 65+ tested positive for high-risk types of HPV—compared to just 8% of younger participants.
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Older women were more likely to be infected with multiple HPV strains.
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A higher prevalence of abnormal cervical cells was recorded among the older group.
These results contradict current international screening guidelines, which recommend stopping routine cervical screening around age 65—assuming previous tests were normal and the patient is not considered high-risk.
Global Cervical Cancer Trends Show Alarming Spike Among Over-65s
According to WHO, 2022 saw 157,182 new cases and 124,269 deaths from cervical cancer in women aged 65 and above. These figures paint a stark picture:
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The older population is far from “low-risk”.
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The assumption that HPV and cervical cancer risks end at menopause is outdated.
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Many women in this age group missed out on HPV vaccinations introduced in recent decades.
The report’s authors emphasized:
“Women aged 65 and above are a high-risk group for cervical cancer incidence and mortality, necessitating urgent attention from countries worldwide.”
Why Are Women Over 65 Being Left Behind?
Screening Guidelines Haven’t Caught Up With Reality
In countries like the UK, women are no longer routinely invited for cervical screening after 64—unless previous results showed abnormalities. This policy is based on historical data and assumptions that past screening offers lifelong protection.
However, this ignores a key reality: many older women:
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Weren’t vaccinated against HPV when younger.
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Did not have access to regular screening during earlier decades.
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May have become sexually active later in life or changed partners, introducing new HPV risk.
“With increasing life expectancy, the risk of cervical cancer in this demographic is significantly heightened,” the study warned.
Calls Grow for a Policy Rethink
The study has triggered responses from key voices in the cancer awareness and public health sectors:
Cancer Charities Call for Extended Screening
Athena Lamnisos, CEO of the Eve Appeal, said:
“Among people over 65, there is a largely unvaccinated population who, if under-screened or if they have never attended screening, may well still be at high risk of cervical cancer.”
She urged the UK National Screening Committee to review current age cutoffs in light of this new evidence.
Cancer Research UK: Testing Still Saves Lives
Maxine Lenza, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, noted:
“Women over 65 who are up to date with screening have a very low risk. But for those who never had screening, a test can still be life-saving.”
She reminded that older women can still request screenings from their GP—even if they are not automatically invited.
Official Response – Is the Government Listening?
NHS and Health Department Hold Firm for Now
A spokesperson for the NHS cervical screening programme emphasized that current protocols follow evidence-based recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee.
They added:
“Women with an HPV-positive result at 65 are offered continued screening. We encourage all women to attend appointments when invited.”
The Department of Health and Social Care also pointed to upcoming self-sampling kits as a solution to declining uptake, saying:
“It’s vital to increase screening participation in the existing age bracket before expanding the program.”
A Missed Opportunity to Eliminate Cervical Cancer?
The WHO has set ambitious goals to eliminate cervical cancer by 2120—through vaccination, widespread screening, and treatment. The global strategy aims for:
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90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15
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70% of women screened by 35 and again by 45
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90% of women with cervical disease treated
Modeling suggests this could prevent 62 million deaths and 74 million cases over the next century.
But these goals cannot be met if older populations remain unprotected. Extending cervical screening to women over 65—especially those never vaccinated or screened—could be a crucial step in closing this gap.
Time to Rethink the Screening Age
This new study sends a clear message: age alone should not disqualify women from life-saving cervical screening. As life expectancy increases and generational gaps in healthcare widen, it’s more important than ever to ensure screening programs evolve with science—not tradition.
Women over 65 are not immune. And as the data shows, they may be more vulnerable than previously thought. Health authorities across the UK and beyond must now grapple with a pressing question