A landmark study published in JAMA Women’s Health has revealed a striking and sobering statistic: an estimated 17.9 million middle-aged women in the United States are overdue for at least one recommended cancer screening test. If you are between the ages of 45 and 65, this finding is directly relevant to you — and we want to make sure you are not among them.
What the Study Found
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 2024 data and found persistent, widespread gaps in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening among women aged 45 to 65 — the age group for which all three screenings are currently recommended. The study identified access-related barriers as a primary driver: lack of insurance, limited provider availability, transportation challenges, and the demands of work and caregiving that leave little room for preventive care.
This is not a small problem at the margins. Nearly 18 million women. That is not a gap — it is a crisis hiding in plain sight.
The Three Screenings Every Woman in This Age Group Needs
1. Mammography for Breast Cancer
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that women of average risk begin screening mammography at age 40, with annual or biennial screening continuing through at least age 74. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that can detect tumors years before they can be felt. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%.
Women with a family history of breast cancer, a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or dense breast tissue may need to begin screening earlier or add breast MRI to their routine. This is a conversation worth having with your provider — and one we have regularly with our patients.
2. Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear and HPV Testing)
Cervical cancer screening combines the Pap smear — which looks for abnormal cells on the cervix — with HPV co-testing, which detects the strains of human papillomavirus most likely to cause cancer. Current guidelines recommend a Pap test every 3 years for women aged 21–65, or every 5 years with co-testing for women aged 30–65.
Many women mistakenly believe they can stop screening once they are postmenopausal or have had a hysterectomy — but that is not always the case. Your individual surgical and medical history matters, and we review it carefully at every well-woman visit.
3. Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and yet it is one of the most preventable cancers when caught early. The USPSTF recommends that average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Options include a colonoscopy every 10 years, annual stool-based testing, or other approved modalities.
While gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies, your OB-GYN is often the provider who identifies that you are overdue and helps coordinate your care. Don’t wait for a specialist to bring it up — we will.
Why Are So Many Women Falling Through the Cracks?
The JAMA Women’s Health study points to access as the core issue. But even among women with good insurance and a regular provider, screenings lapse. Life gets busy. Appointments get postponed. Anxiety about results — sometimes called cancer-related worry — can quietly become avoidance.
We understand this. We also know that the consequences of delayed detection are real. Most of the cancers screened for in this age group are highly treatable when found early — and far more difficult to treat when found late.
What We Do Differently at El Camino Women’s Medical Group
At our practice, the annual well-woman visit is not just a check-in. It is a systematic review of your preventive care. Every time you come in, we look at which screenings are due, what is coming up, and what can be ordered or referred that same day. Catching up on overdue care should never require you to navigate the healthcare system alone.
We care for more than 5,300 women annually, and we know that no two women have the same history, risk profile, or comfort level. Whether you are 45 and have never had a mammogram, or 58 and cannot remember your last colonoscopy, we are here to help you get current — without judgment, and with a plan.
Your health is worth the appointment. Call our office today to schedule your annual well-woman exam.
Sources
- Greenwald ZR, et al. Cancer screening gaps among US women aged 45–65. JAMA Women’s Health. 2026. As reported by Contemporary OB/GYN, June 3, 2026.
- USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening Recommendation
- USPSTF Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendation
- USPSTF Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation
- ACOG — Cervical Cancer Screening FAQs
- American Cancer Society — Cancer Screening Guidelines
El Camino Women’s Medical Group offers the latest Minimally Invasive Solutions for gynecologic problems. Drs. Amy Teng, Erika Balassiano, Pooja Gupta, and Vivian Wan, all members of AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy), are highly trained and experienced in the field of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. Dr. Erika Balassiano has also completed a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship under the supervision of world-renowned Dr. Camran Nezhat. Angel Wong, PA-C, is a physician assistant who sees patients for routine and lower-acuity care.
All of our physicians are El Camino Hospital doctors and operate and deliver at the Mountain View campus.
As part of El Camino Women’s Medical Group’s commitment to comprehensive care for women, we offer in-network mental health services with world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Rania Awaad and experienced therapist Daniya Ahmed, LMFT. For women seeking to improve their health through a healthier diet, Mariam AlAgha, MS, is an excellent nutritionist with over a decade of success helping women achieve their health goals. Her services are also in network.
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