Cervical Cancer Is Mostly Preventable — So Why Does It Still Kill?

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Screening gaps and system failures explain why it still claims lives.

On this page

Hook

We know what causes cervical cancer.
We know how to detect it early.
We even know how to prevent most cases.

And yet—it still kills.


The Failure Isn’t Medical

Cervical cancer persists because of:

  • Missed screening
  • Confusion over testing
  • Poor access to care
  • False reassurance from “feeling fine”

Symptoms arrive late. Prevention works early.


Vaccines and Screening Work — Quietly

Countries with strong HPV vaccination and screening programs are already seeing steep declines in cervical cancer rates.

The tools exist.
The gap is implementation.


Why This Still Matters

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects:

  • Women with limited healthcare access
  • Migrant and marginalised populations
  • Older women who stopped screening too early

This is a systems problem—not a mystery.


Closing

Cervical cancer is not inevitable.
It’s preventable—if systems work and people are informed.


Further Reading