Late-stage cervical cancer cases are on the rise

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology found an increase in stage 4 cervical cancer cases. They suspect young women aren't undergoing routine medical checks because they appear to be otherwise healthy. (Suzi Pratt/Getty Images for Hologic)

A new study finds that late-stage cervical cancer cases are on the rise in the U.S., and some researchers hypothesize that a decrease in screenings among young women could be why more women are being diagnosed with the deadly disease.

While the overall rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. is on the decline, the number of women suffering from advanced stages of the disease — which has a five-year survival rate of 17% — is increasing.