New cancer report highlights ‘concerning’ trend in cervical cancer rates in Canada – CTV
November 17, 2025
A new report found that cervical cancer rates have plateaued and are no longer declining, with one expert suggesting Canada may not reach its goal of eliminating the disease by 2040.
According to the 2025 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, published Monday, cervical cancer rates had been declining between 1984 and 2005, with an annual decrease of 2.2 per cent. But between 2005 and 2021, the annual decrease was 0.3 per cent, with variability ranging from a 0.8 per cent decrease to a 0.4 per cent increase, representing a plateau.
At one point, rates were increasing: the 2023 report shows that between 2015 and 2019, rates increased by 3.7 per cent, making it the fastest-growing cancer among women at that time.
The report projects 1,650 new cases of cervical cancer in 2025, compared to 1,320 new confirmed cases in 2005, according to Statistics Canada.
“The new data that is now included in the report is actually furthering our understanding of the trends in cervical cancer, providing that clearer view that points to a concerning plateau in cervical cancer rates after a period of significant progress that had been seen before,” Dr. Jennifer Gillis, director of surveillance for the Canadian Cancer Society and an epidemiologist who co-authored the report, told CTVNews.ca in an interview.
