courtesy: unilab

Cervical cancer, a significant public health challenge, continues to cast a shadow over women’s health, transcending age, background, and geographic locations globally. Its nature warrants a deeper understanding of its anatomy, causes, and global prevalence to mobilize effective elimination measures and treatment strategies.

ANATOMY OF THE CERVIX

The cervix, a crucial component of the female reproductive system, is the narrow passage connecting the uterus to the vagina. It plays a crucial role in reproduction, serving as the gateway for menstrual blood to exit the body, facilitating sperm passage into the uterus and childbirth process. However, it’s also a common site for cell changes that may lead to cancer, highlighting the importance of regular screening.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER

Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is a primary culprit behind cervical cancer. Persistent HPV infection, if left untreated, can lead to the development of abnormal cells, eventually progressing to cancer. It takes 15–20 years for abnormal cells to become cancer, but in women with weakened immune systems, such as HIV, this process can be faster and take 5–10 years.

GLOBAL PREVALENCE AND URGENCY

According to recent statistics by the WHO, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with over 660,000 new cases reported in 2022. Alarmingly, the majority of 350,000-mortality rates occurred in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and South-East Asia.

CALL TO ACTION AND WHO STRATEGY

The global prevalence of cervical cancer underscores the urgent need for elimination strategies like preventive measures and increased access to vaccination, screening and treatment services.

The WHO’s global strategy aims to achieve this by 2030, focusing on vaccinating 90% of girls with HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 15, screening 70% of women with high quality tests by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment.

CONCLUSION

In confronting the complexities of cervical cancer, knowledge and proactive measures are imperative to safeguard women’s health. By understanding the anatomy of the cervix, its causes, and global impact, we pave the way for a future where cervical cancer is no longer a threat in women’s health. Through collective efforts and adherence to WHO strategies, we can envision a world where every woman receives the care and support needed to eliminate this preventable disease.

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