- A new study from University of Michigan using Truveta Data analyzed cervical cancer screening among more than 2.4 million eligible individuals across health systems in 34 states.
- Family medicine and internal medicine clinicians provided the majority of cervical cancer screening in the US: 61.9% overall and 68.4% among women ages 50 to 65.
- Only 70.5% of eligible individuals received at least one screening during the study period, with screening rates falling to 61.8% among women ages 50 to 65.
- The findings establish an important baseline as cervical cancer screening shifts toward primary Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing and self-collection.
Published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, a new study from University of Michigan researchers examined how cervical cancer screening is currently delivered in the US. Using electronic health records from more than 2.4 million eligible individuals across health systems in 34 states, the analysis looked not only at screening rates, but also at which clinicians are providing screening across different age groups and patient populations. That question is especially relevant as cervical cancer screening begins to shift toward primary HPV testing and self-collection, which may impact screening trends.
The authors describe the study as the most extensive analysis of cervical cancer screening delivery in the US and suggest it can serve as a benchmark as screening practices continue to evolve.
How cervical cancer screening is delivered today
The study found that family medicine and internal medicine clinicians now provide most cervical cancer screening in the US. Overall, those clinicians accounted for 61.9% of screening. Among women ages 50 to 65, that share rose to 68.4%. OB-GYN clinicians provided less than half overall (38.1%), and their share decreased with patient age.
The scale of the dataset also allowed the researchers to look more closely at provider type and patient populations. For example, family medicine screened more Asian, Native American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic patients than other specialties, while OB-GYN screened more Black women than other specialties. The study also found that advanced practice professionals in family medicine contributed a substantial share of screening.
A screening gap where risk is highest
The analysis also highlights a clear screening gap. Only 70.5% of eligible individuals received at least one cervical cancer screening during the study period. Screening rates declined steadily with age, from 80.5% among those aged 21-29 to 61.8% among women aged 50-65.
These findings highlight a clear unmet need among adults over 50, where screening rates are lowest despite accounting for more than half of cervical cancer diagnoses.
A baseline for what comes next
The study also reported a national benchmark for colposcopy after screening. Colposcopy is a follow-up procedure used to examine the cervix more closely after an abnormal screening result. The overall rate after screening was 3.9%, and the authors note that this benchmark will be useful as cervical cancer screening continues to evolve.
Taken together, the findings offer a useful baseline at a moment of change in cervical cancer screening. They show that primary care is already central to screening delivery in the US, especially for older adults, and they highlight where screening gaps remain as new screening models begin to emerge.
Read the full study
Characterizing Cervical Cancer Screening in the US: Preparing for the Era of Self-Collection, Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
