Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Empowering Informed Health Choices

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about preventing this largely preventable disease, promote early detection, and support those affected by cervical cancer throughout their health journey.^1,2 Although cervical cancer incidence and mortality have declined in recent decades due to vaccination and rigorous screening, approximately 13,360 new invasive cervical cancer cases and about 4,320 deaths were estimated in the United States in 2025 alone, underscoring the continued need for informed action.³

Understanding Cervical Cancer and Prevention

Cervical cancer is caused primarily by persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18. These high-risk infections cause virtually all cervical cancers worldwide.⁴ Fortunately, vaccination against HPV and regular cervical cancer screening, including Pap tests and high-risk HPV testing, are powerful tools in reducing risk. For many individuals, beginning routine screening at age 21 and following recommended schedules dramatically improves outcomes by detecting precancerous changes early, when treatment is most effective.^1,5

Despite this, screening and vaccination rates have room for improvement, and barriers such as access to care, misinformation, and disparities in health care participation must be addressed to reach the full potential of prevention.^2,5

The Role of Genetics in Cervical and Related Cancers

Although HPV infection is the dominant risk factor, family health history and inherited predisposition can influence cancer risk profiles in individuals and their relatives. This is where services like the Kadance Hereditary Cancer Risk Test become invaluable. Kadance’s test goes beyond screening for cervical cancer alone; it analyzes several genes associated with hereditary cancer risk across multiple cancer types, informed by the latest genomic science and clinical guidelines.

Identifying hereditary risk can empower individuals and their families with actionable insights. For example, a hereditary cancer predisposition may prompt earlier or more frequent screenings for other associated cancers, tailored risk-reduction strategies, or multidisciplinary care planning. Genetics doesn’t predetermine a health outcome, but it informs choices and improves personalized prevention strategies.

Support After Diagnosis: Navigation Through Complexity

For those diagnosed with cervical or any other cancer, the journey can feel overwhelming. Kadance’s post-diagnosis precision care management services are designed to help individuals navigate each step, providing compassionate, professional health navigation by Oncology Nurse Navigators, expert case review by board-certified Pathologists, access to advanced molecular testing, and DNA-based recurrence monitoring. These services help people understand their diagnosis, interpret complex genomic results, make informed treatment decisions, and connect with additional resources, including clinical trials.

Kadance also offers pharmacogenomic testing through its Medication Optimization Program, which may provide insight into how a person’s genetics affect their response to certain medications. These results can be especially valuable when clinicians are evaluating treatment options following a cancer diagnosis.

The path from diagnosis to survivorship is deeply personal. Supportive care that integrates scientific insights with empathetic guidance, like that offered through Kadance, helps reduce uncertainty and allows patients and their loved ones to focus on what matters most: health, resilience, and quality of life.

Take Action This Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

This January, we encourage everyone to:

• Learn the facts about HPV and cervical cancer prevention. Cervical cancer is highly preventable with vaccination and early detection.² Learn more about cervical cancer prevention here and here.
• Stay up to date on screenings and follow the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for Pap and HPV tests, based on age and risk factors.^1,5 Learn more cervical cancer screening here.
• Consider a hereditary risk assessment with the Kadance Hereditary Cancer Risk Test to better understand individual and family cancer risks.
• Engage with supportive care networks to ensure comprehensive support before, during, and after diagnosis.

Increased awareness helps people take informed steps toward prevention, timely screening, and appropriate support when it is needed most. Understanding available tools and resources can make the path forward feel more manageable, whether someone is focused on prevention or navigating life after a cancer diagnosis.
‍

‍

References

¹American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/cervical-cancer-awareness-month/
²Cancer Control TAP. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Toolkit. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://cancercontroltap.org/news/cervical-cancer-awareness-month-toolkit/

‍³American Cancer Society. (2025). Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
⁴National Cancer Institute. (2024, August 2). Cervical cancer causes and risk factors. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention
⁵Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, December 11). Cervical cancer basics. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/about/index.html‍