Cancer Prevention in Women with Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review of HPV Vaccination and Cancer Screening

Advances in sickle cell disease (SCD) care have substantially improved survival. This resulted in a growing population of adult women for whom cancer prevention is increasingly relevant. Female-specific cancer prevention strategies, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and breast cancer screening, are well-established in the general population. However, their implementation among women with SCD remains poorly characterized.

We conducted a scoping review of PubMed and Embase from inception through January 2026 to identify studies, evaluating HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, or breast cancer screening among individuals with SCD. Observational and interventional studies reporting screening uptake, vaccination rates, or cervical HPV prevalence were included. Data were synthesized descriptively given the limited and heterogeneous nature of available evidence.

Eight studies met inclusion criteria. Across studies the uptake of HPV vaccination and cancer screening was variable but consistently suboptimal relative to the general population. HPV vaccination completion rates among adolescents and young adults with SCD did not exceed 50% in most cohorts, although targeted system-level interventions were associated with meaningful improvements. Data on cervical cancer screening were extremely limited, with only one study reporting high-risk HPV prevalence among adult women with SCD. Evidence on breast cancer screening was similarly sparse. The adherence to recommended screening intervals was inconsistent, and a high prevalence of dense breast tissue was reported. Overall, findings highlight fragmented delivery of preventive oncology services and substantial gaps in evidence, particularly in adult populations and high-income settings.

Women with SCD experience significant gaps in HPV vaccination and cancer screening, despite increasing survival and frequent health care contact. The scarcity of high-quality data limits understanding of screening adherence, disparities, and downstream outcomes. Integrating preventive oncology into SCD care and prioritizing population-based research are essential to address missed opportunities and ensure equitable cancer prevention for this growing population.