Cervical cancer may be more common in people over 60 years old than originally believed. However, current screenings suggest that individuals over the age of 65 no longer receive regular cervical cancer screenings.
Cervical cancer begins in the lining of the cervix. This is the area in the lower part of the womb. A common cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). However, not everyone who develops HPV will also develop cervical cancer.
Regular screenings and the HPV vaccine can help detect cervical cancer early and prevent the HPV infection from developing.
The average age for a cervical cancer diagnosis is 50 years old. A doctor will typically diagnose it between the ages of 35 and 44 years. However, research has shown that a large number of individuals over 60 years old are receiving a late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer.
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According to the
The ACS also states that a diagnosis is most commonly given between the ages of 35 and 44, with an average age of 50 years old. However, around 20% of those diagnosed with cervical cancer are over 65 years old.
The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s)
It is highly uncommon for those under the age of 20 years old to receive a cervical cancer diagnosis.
Outlook
The highest percentage of deaths from cervical cancer was between the ages of 55 and 64 years old. This age group was 23.5% of cervical cancer deaths. Those 65 to 74 years old were 19.8% of deaths from cervical cancer.
This could be due in part to older females being more likely to receive a late stage cervical cancer diagnosis.
The
- HPV test: checks at the cellular level for signs of HPV infection, namely the high risk types that can cause cervical cancer
- Pap test: collects and checks cervical cells for any changes that may be due to HPV, which, if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer
- HPV/Pap cotest: combines the two test types to check for high risk types of HPV and cervical cell changes
According to the NCI, current screen guidelines are as follows:
- 21 to 29 years old: first screening at 21 and then Pap testing every 3 years afterward
- 30 to 65 years old: regular screenings using one of these methods:
- HPV test every 5 years
- Pap test every 3 years
- HPV/Pap test every 5 years
- Over 65 years old: speak with a healthcare professional to see if screening is still needed
Read more about cervical cancer screening.
A 2021 study notes that 8 in 1,000 females who did not receive screenings between the ages of 50 and 64 years old developed cervical cancer between the ages of 60 and 84 years old. The study also states that this risk was halved to 3.46 in 1,000 in those who did receive screenings between the ages of 60 and 64 years old, but did not have a test between 50 and 59 years old.
A 2021 paper suggested that cervical cancer screening should continue past the age of 65 years old for various reasons. One reason the authors note is that the United States has an aging population. They state that the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that adults over the age of 65 years old will account for more than 20% of the population by 2030.
They also note that research suggests that the development of HPV that leads to cervical cancer is not necessarily related to new partners but to the number of sexual partners. The rates of new detection of high risk HPV were higher in females who had five or more lifetime sexual partners.
The authors of this paper recommend that cervical cancer screenings continue past the age of 65 years old. This includes those that medical professionals previously considered to have adequate screening earlier on.
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The CDC notes that current guidance states the only way to know it may be safe to discontinue screening after the age of 65 years old is to have had several clear tests in row over the course of the previous 10 years. This must include one clear test within the previous 5 years.
However, they also found that approximately 1 in 20 females between the ages of 66 and 70 years old had never received a test.
The CDC recommends that females over the age of 65 speak with a healthcare professional about being tested and about their risk of cervical cancer.
There are various risk factors for cervical cancer. Some factors are changeable, while others, like genetics, cannot be controlled.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
- HPV infection
- sexual history aspects, such as:
- having many sexual partners
- becoming sexually active at a young age, especially those before 18 years old
- having a sexual partner who may be considered high risk, such as someone who has an HPV infection or has multiple sexual partners
- smoking
- having a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV
- having chlamydia
- long-term use of birth control pills
- being at a young age during the first full-term pregnancy
- having multiple full-term pregnancies
- not eating enough fruits and vegetables
Read about causes of cervical cancer.
Cancer resources
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The ACS states that 20% of people who receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer are over 65 years old.
It is also more likely that older people are more likely to receive a late stage cancer diagnosis. This may be due in part to current guidelines stopping regular screenings at the age of 65.
Some researchers believe that screening should continue past this age, especially since females may be just as likely to receive a cervical cancer diagnosis in their 80s as they are when they are younger.
Females who are 65 years old or older should speak with their healthcare professional about continued screening and their risk factors for cervical cancer.
