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New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Released
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The American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated cervical cancer screening guidelines at the end of 2025, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) endorsed them in January 2026. While largely consistent, the two sets of recommendations have some key distinctions.
Areas of Agreement Between ACS and HRSA Guidelines
both the ACS and HRSA agree on several core principles for cervical cancer screening.
- HPV Primary Testing is Preferred. Both organizations recommend the HPV primary test for individuals aged 30-65 at average risk. This test identifies high-risk HPV types responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers. If the HPV primary test isn’t available, co-testing-an HPV test combined with a Pap test-is recommended. If co-testing isn’t available, a Pap test alone is acceptable.
- Self-Collection is acceptable. Traditionally, healthcare providers collected samples for HPV and Pap tests during a speculum exam. The ACS prefers provider collection, but acknowledges self-collection as a valid option.
Differences in Screening Recommendations
Despite broad agreement, the ACS and HRSA guidelines diverge on certain aspects of screening frequency and duration.
- Screening Intervals. The ACS recommends screening every five years with an HPV primary test, or every three years with a co-test. HRSA recommends screening every three to five years with a primary HPV test.
- Age to Stop Screening. The ACS states that individuals 65 and older who have had adequate prior screening can stop. HRSA recommends that individuals 65 and older who have been adequately screened and do not have a history of serious cervical precancer can also stop.
Resources
For more facts, please consult the following resources:
- American Cancer Society (ACS) New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Endorsement of New Guidelines
- HPV and Cervical Cancer-Understanding the Connection and How to Prevent Cancer
