Cervical cancer, which is almost always preventable, continues to be a large public health problem in many developing countries because of limited access to screening and treatment. Each year there are about 400,000 new cases of cervical cancer—80% of which occur in women living in developing countries. The vast majority (99.7%) are associated with infection with one or more cancer causing types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. Although women generally are infected with HPV in their teens, 20s or 30s, invasive cancer may not develop for as long as 10 or 20 years after infection.
Reading Materials
- WHO Press Release, 11 October 2001: Cervical Cancer Screening is Failing to Control Disease in Many Developing Countries, Researchers Say
- Medscape Editorial: Innovative Approaches to Cervical Cancer Prevention
Article in Bulletin of WHO: Effective screening programmes for cervical cancer in low- and middle-income developing countries, Sankaranarayanan R (Adobe Acrobat 175K)
- Preventing Cervical Cancer in Low-Resource Settings
Outlook, Vol. 18, No. 1. PATH- Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer
- Lancet Journal Articles:
- Lancet Journal Commentary
- Questions & Answers on Cervical Cancer Prevention
- Policy on Distribution of Materials
Workshop Proceedings
- 2000 - Training Issues for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Low-Resource Settings (Summary)
- 1997 - Alternatives in Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment in Low-Resource Settings (Highlights)
Related Links
- Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention
- JHPIEGO
- University of Zimbabwe
- PATH (Program for Approriate Technology in Health)
- Reproductive Health Outlook: Cervical Cancer (PATH)
- National Cervical Cancer Coalition
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
- Cancer Bacup
For more information, see:
- BBC News - Vinegar Test for Cervical Cancer