China's Cervical Cancer Progress Stalls Amid Rural-Older Disparities

A comprehensive study published in Cancer Biology & Medicine reveals that while China's cervical cancer rates have stabilized nationally since 2016, significant disparities threaten progress toward global elimination goals. Researchers from the National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College analyzed two decades of data from 22 cancer registries, finding that age-standardized incidence tripled between 2000 and 2016 before plateauing. However, this national trend masks troubling inequalities—older women and rural populations continue to experience rising risks, while younger urban women benefit from improved screening access. The study, available through DOI 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0386, highlights how China's progress lags behind countries like Australia and South Korea that have implemented comprehensive HPV vaccination and screening programs.

The research underscores that cervical cancer remains highly preventable yet persists as China's fourth leading cause of cancer death among women. Despite large-scale screening initiatives and HPV vaccination introduction in 2016, coverage remains critically low—only about half of women aged 35-64 have been screened, and less than 10% of girls have completed HPV vaccination. These gaps are particularly pronounced in rural areas and among aging populations, creating barriers to achieving the WHO's "90-70-90" elimination targets. The findings published in Cancer Biology & Medicine emphasize that China's stabilization represents a critical inflection point, but without addressing these equity issues, the country risks missing its opportunity to eliminate this preventable disease.

Professor Wenqiang Wei, the study's corresponding author, stresses that achieving cervical cancer elimination requires more than technological advances—it demands system-level equity ensuring every woman receives equal preventive care regardless of location. The research team recommends expanding school-based HPV vaccination, scaling up primary HPV testing with self-sampling options, and ensuring standardized treatment across healthcare levels. As China approaches its peak national burden around 2040, the study provides crucial evidence for refining the country's elimination roadmap and strengthening coordination between public health programs and local governments to narrow the urban-rural gap that currently threatens progress.