Cervical cancer
Overview
Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with
around 660 000 new cases in 2022. In the same year, about 94% of the 350 000
deaths caused by cervical cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in sub-Saharan
Africa (SSA), Central America and South-East Asia. Regional differences in the
cervical cancer burden are related to inequalities in access to vaccination,
screening and treatment services, risk factors including HIV prevalence, and
social and economic determinants such as sex, gender biases and poverty.
Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer
compared to the general population, and an estimated 5% of all cervical cancer
cases are attributable to HIV (1). Cervical cancer disproportionately affects
younger women, and as a result, 20% of children who lose their mother to
cancer do so due to cervical cancer (2).
What is cervical cancer
Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the uterus from
the vagina).
Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk
human papilloma viruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted
through sexual contact.
Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no
symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2022, an
estimated 660 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and
about 350 000 women died from the disease.
Effective primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary prevention approaches
(screening for, and treating precancerous lesions) will prevent most cervical
cancer cases.
When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms
of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers
diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and
palliative care.
With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat, cervical cancer
can be eliminated as a public health problem within a generation.
Causes
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which
can affect the skin, genital area and throat. Almost all sexually active people will
be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms. In most
cases the immune system clears HPV from the body. Persistent infection with
high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become
cancer.
Persistent HPV infection of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb,
which opens into the vagina – also called the birth canal) if left untreated,
causes 95% of cervical cancers. Typically, it takes 15–20 years for abnormal cells
to become cancer, but in women with weakened immune systems, such as
untreated HIV, this process can be faster and take 5–10 years. Risk factors for
cancer progression include the grade of oncogenicity of the HPV type, immune
status, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, number of births,
young age at first pregnancy, hormonal contraceptive use, and smoking.
Key facts about cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around
660 000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022.
The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-
income countries. This reflects major inequities driven by lack of access to national
HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment services and social and economic
determinants.
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papilloma virus
(HPV). Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer
compared to women without HIV.
Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer
lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective.
Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.
Countries around the world are working to accelerate the elimination of cervical
cancer in the coming decades, with an agreed set of three targets to be met by 2030.
Prevention
Boosting public awareness, access to information and services are key to
prevention and control across the life course.
Being vaccinated at age 9–14 years is a highly effective way to prevent
HPV infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Screening from the age of 30 (25 years in women living with HIV) can
detect cervical disease, which when treated, also prevents cervical
cancer.
At any age with symptoms or concerns, early detection followed by
prompt quality treatment can cure cervical cancer
