Cervical Cancer in 2025: A Year in Research

Cervical cancer remains a significant health issue for women in the UK and globally, but 2025 has delivered major progress. From AI-enhanced screening tools to next-generation vaccines and advances in diagnostic imaging, this year has brought us closer to a future where cervical cancer is preventable, detectable earlier, and more treatable. In this article, we highlight some of the key cervical cancer research developments from 2025 and what they could mean for screening and care in the years to come.

Key Facts

• Cervical cancer accounts for 1 per cent of all new cancer cases in the UK, with about 3,000-3,300 new cases per year¹.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers².
• Vaccination and screening programmes have significantly reduced cases, but usage remains unequal across demographics³.
• When diagnosed at stage 1, 5-year survival rates can be over 90 per cent; late-stage diagnosis significantly reduces survival⁴.
• The NHS offers free cervical screening (smear tests) every 3–5 years for women aged 25 to 64⁵.
• In 2025, innovations in HPV screening, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based cell analysis, and imaging tools have shown promise in enhancing early detection and personalising care.

Understanding Cervical Cancer

Causes and Risk Factors

Cervical cancer can develop due to a combination of factors:

• 99.8 per cent of cervical cancer cases are caused by high-risk HPV infection³. 
• A weakened immune system is thought to increase the risk of cervical cancer. For example, smoking or a viral infection like HIV can weaken the immune system and make it harder for the body to clear HPV⁶. 
• There are also factors such as long-term use of the combined contraceptive pill, experiencing pregnancy early, or having multiple childbirths⁶. 

Challenges in Early Detection

The early stages of cervical cancer are often symptom-free, making it almost impossible for people to detect. 

Though screening is a very powerful tool in early detection of cervical cancer, uptake of routine screening is lower in underserved areas. 

Women aged 25-49 are less likely to undergo screening. This is thought to be because of discomfort or embarrassment during the smear or HPV test, which may discourage follow-up screenings⁷.  

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is crucial for the best patient outcomes. HPV vaccination and testing increase the detection of precancerous changes, allowing close monitoring and preventative measures to take place. 

If something abnormal is found, a small biopsy and visual check, called a colposcopy, can be carried out⁸. If further investigation is required, scans of the pelvis can be carried out using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. 

Early detection of cervical cancers can lead to less intense treatments that are less likely to affect fertility and can lead to a higher chance of improved patient outcomes⁹. 

2025 Research Highlights

AI in Cervical Screening

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already being used to offer support to healthcare workers. A few hospitals across the UK have already shown great success using AI; one hospital in Scotland reported that sample analysis increased by 25 per cent¹⁰. Other studies have shown improved accuracy and fewer false negatives in cervical cell analysis with the support of AI technology¹¹. 

Innovations in HPV Testing

Advances in HPV testing are quietly transforming cervical cancer screening, bringing a more accessible, convenient, and accurate option for more people. 

At-home self-swab kits have been tried, increasing accessibility. New types of HPV tests have been developed to offer faster and more precise results for high-risk strain diagnosis¹². 

By combining these molecular testing techniques with the AI-enhanced systems, this could reduce the rate of cervical cancer and reduce the number of even minimally invasive treatments such as colposcopies. 

Next-Gen Vaccines and Immunology

Further investment into early vaccinations led to a new kind of HPV vaccine that protects against at least 7 cervical cancer-causing strains. If given before an initial exposure, the risk of cervical cancer is reduced by 80-90 per cent¹³. Other trials also investigated vaccines that could offer treatment for women already diagnosed with pre-cancerous changes¹⁴.

Early Detection Tools: Still the Key to Progress

Role of Cervical Screening Programmes

Regular screenings are a very powerful tool for catching all types of cancers. For cervical cancer, the NHS provides a robust service that, alongside HPV vaccination, helps curb HPV spread and reduce cases of advanced disease.

Smear tests remain a key component of cervical screening, but uptake rates are currently too low for herd immunity; however, HPV-only screening detects more pre-cancerous changes over time¹⁵. As a result, from July 2025, NHS England extended smear test appointments from every 3 years to 5 years for those who are HPV negative.

Imaging and Colposcopy Advances

The introduction of AI-assisted diagnostic technology has improved the visual recognition of abnormal tissue, increasing the likelihood that cervical cancer will be diagnosed early. 

For complex cases, the NHS is considering using additional tools, such as cervical MRIs. Scientists at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre have developed an AI tool to automatically outline important organs surrounding the cervix to enable doctors to create personalised treatment plans, improving the patient experience¹⁶. 

‍Ezra’s MRI scan, while not a substitute for screening, may identify related pelvic issues earlier and more clearly.

Combining Data for Better Risk Stratification

Research into combining HPV status, lifestyle factors, and genetics is informing new screening intervals. Medical professionals are also considering personalised genetic risk scores, which could pave the way for truly personalised medicine and screening schedules. 

What You Can Do During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Share Knowledge and Encourage Screening

• Educate friends and family about cervical cancer and HPV
• Encourage young people to get vaccinated
• Share posts using #CervicalCancerAwareness and #GetScreenedEarly

Support Clinical Research

• Participate in or donate to clinical trials researching vaccines and early detection tools.
• Organisations like UK Cervical Cancer and Cancer Research UK fund ongoing research

Book a Preventive Screening

• If you’re between 25 and 64, book your NHS cervical screening when invited. 
• For broader health insights, consider Ezra’s MRI scan, which can help detect potential cancer in up to 14 organs, including the reproductive system.

Summary

2025 has been a landmark year in cervical cancer research, offering renewed hope in the fight against one of the most preventable cancers. Advances in HPV screening, AI-driven diagnostics, and vaccine science are transforming how we approach early detection. But despite these gains, participation in screening remains critical. Whether through regular NHS check-ups or a broader full-body scan, early detection saves lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is most at risk for cervical cancer?

A: Women with persistent, high-risk HPV infection⁶. 

Q: Can cervical cancer be prevented?

A: Yes, early screening for HPV and vaccination can prevent many cases of cervical cancer. 

Q: Is AI used in cervical cancer detection?

A: Yes, AI has been used in cervical cancer detection in several sites across the UK. These pilot programmes have shown that AI helps improve efficiency and reduces treatment time^10,11.

References:

1. Cancer Research UK. Cancer incidence statistics: cervix uteri, United Kingdom [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; September 26, 2025 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://crukcancerintelligence.shinyapps.io/CancerStatsDataHub/_w_defe7cc6a05e447ca04d766f7c099545/_w_0bf5a94f00034809a2181d2fb80fd08b/?_inputs_&nav=%22Incidence%20Breakdowns%20and%20Trends%22&app_select_CancerSite=%22Cervix%22&app_select_Country=%22United%20Kingdom%22
2. World Health Organisation. Cervical cancer [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; December 2, 2025 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
3. NHS England. Cervical cancer elimination by 2040: plan for England [Internet]. London: NHS England; [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/
4. Cancer Research UK. Survival for cervical cancer [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; September 21, 2023 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/survival
5. NHS. When you'll be invited for cervical screening [Internet]. London: NHS; July 14, 2023 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/when-youll-be-invited/
6. NHS. Causes of cervical cancer [Internet]. London: NHS; September 18, 2024 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/causes/
7. Bennett KF, Waller J, Chorley AJ, Ferrer RA, Haddrell JB, Marlow LA. Barriers to cervical screening and interest in self-sampling among women who actively decline screening. J Med Screen. 2018;25(4):211-217. doi:10.1177/0969141318767471
8. NHS. Your cervical screening results [Internet]. London: NHS; July 14, 2023 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/your-results/
9. Cancer Research UK. Treatment options for cervical cancer [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; October 26, 2023 [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/treatment/treatment-decisions
10. BBC News. New tech improves cervical cancer screening. BBC News. March 7, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-60648553
11. Linder N, Nyirenda D, Mårtensson A, et al. AI supported diagnostic innovations for impact in global women's health. BMJ. 2025;391:e086009. doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-086009
12. Lim AWW, Deats K, Gambell J, et al. Opportunistic offering of self-sampling to non-attenders within the English cervical screening programme: a pragmatic, multicentre, implementation feasibility trial with randomly allocated cluster intervention start dates (YouScreen). eClinicalMedicine. 2024;73:102672. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102672
13. Joura EA, Giuliano AR, Iversen OE, et al. A 9-valent HPV vaccine against infection and intraepithelial neoplasia in women. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(8):711-723. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1405044
14. Eerkens AL, Esajas MD, Brummel K, et al. Vvax001, a therapeutic vaccine, for patients with HPV16-positive high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a phase II trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2025;31(6):1016-1026. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-1662
15. Rebolj M, Cuschieri K, Mathews CS, et al. Extension of cervical screening intervals with primary human papillomavirus testing: observational study of English screening pilot data. BMJ. 2022;377:e068776. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-068776
16. Akbar A. NHS cancer centre co-develops the world's first AI-based tool for specialist cervical cancer treatment [Internet]. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside; [cited January 12, 2026]. Available from: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/posts/nhs-cancer-centre-co-develops-the-world-s-first-ai-based-tool-for-specialist-cervical-cancer-treatment/