Age-Related Increase in Cervical Cancer Risk for Women with HIV
A recent study reveals a concerning trend: women living with HIV face a heightened risk of cervical cancer, particularly as they age. The research, published in 2026, highlights a significant increase in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among HIV-positive women, with the highest risk observed in those aged 45 to 49.
The study, conducted by researchers, analyzed data from over 72,300 women across seven countries, with more than 12,500 living with HIV. It revealed a stark age-related pattern in cervical precancer and cancer rates. For women aged 15 to 19, the predicted probability of CIN2 or CIN3 was approximately 6%. This alarming figure surged to 32.4% for HIV-positive women aged 20 to 24, and continued to rise with age: 42.1% for 25 to 29-year-olds, 50.3% for 30 to 34-year-olds, 47% for 35 to 39-year-olds, 49% for 40 to 44-year-olds, 58.1% for 45 to 49-year-olds, and 55.3% for women aged 50 and above.
Invasive cervical cancer was rarely diagnosed before the age of 30. The findings prompted recommendations to the World Health Organization (WHO) to initiate cervical cancer screening for HIV-positive women at 25 years of age, with regular screenings every 3 to 5 years.
In November 2020, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue. The strategy set ambitious targets for 2030, including 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women screened with high-performance tests by age 35 and 45, and 90% of women with cervical disease receiving treatment.
This research underscores the importance of early detection and screening for cervical cancer in women living with HIV, emphasizing the need for tailored healthcare approaches to address this specific risk group.
