China Exceeds Cervical Cancer Screening Goal, but Rural Gap Remains

China Achieves National Cervical Cancer Screening Goal Ahead of Schedule

China has successfully surpassed its goal of raising the national cervical cancer screening rate above 50% ahead of schedule. This significant achievement marks a major step forward in the fight against this preventable disease.

The national cervical cancer screening rate, defined as the percentage of women who have undergone at least one screening in their lifetime, reached 51.5% among women aged 35 to 64 from 2023 to 2024. This represents a substantial increase from 36.8% between 2018 and 2019.

The study, published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, analyzed data from nearly 97,000 women across all 31 provincial-level regions in China. It found that the screening rate was 57.9% among women aged 35 to 44 and 36.8% among those aged 20 and older.

"Our findings suggest that China as a whole has already achieved the 2025 target of screening 50 percent of women age 35 to 64 years by 2024," the study stated.

Addressing the Urban-Rural Gap

Despite this remarkable progress, there remains a significant disparity in screening rates between urban and rural areas. While the national average has surpassed 50%, the rate in rural areas remains lower at 48.2%. Northeastern China reports an even lower rate of just 33.8%.

The study highlights the need for enhanced efforts to address this urban-rural gap. Women in rural areas, as well as those with low incomes, limited education, or unemployment, are less likely to access cervical cancer screening services.

Recommendations for Further Improvement

Increased policy and financial support: This will ensure adequate resources are available to implement effective screening programs.

Raising awareness about the importance of cervical cancer screening is crucial, particularly in underserved communities.

Addressing transportation barriers and increasing the availability of qualified healthcare professionals is essential.

AI can be used to train local medical professionals and enhance both screening coverage and accuracy.

Conclusion

China's success in achieving its national cervical cancer screening goal ahead of schedule is a testament to the country's commitment to improving public health. However, there is still work to be done to ensure equitable access to screening services and ultimately reduce the burden of cervical cancer, particularly in rural areas. By implementing the recommendations outlined in the study, China can continue to make significant strides in its fight against this preventable disease.