Cervical Cancer Facts

Germany has the highest mortality and incidence rates for cervical cancer among other countries in Western Europe. It is important for German women to know risk factor for cervical cancer, so they can prevent from getting this malignancy. Since 1971 all women have been eligible for a yearly gynecological ‘cervical cancer early detection exam’ (KFU) which is covered by statutory health insurance. KFU start at age 20, it includes a pap smear for screening of cervical cancer and a gynecological examination. As over 90% of the Germany women population is covered by statutory health insurance, about 30.5 million women are eligible for an annual KFU for preventing cervical cancer.

Although cervical cancer prevention programs already exist, the success of this program can not be separated from the participation of the population. It turned out that German women’s participation in cervical cancer prevention programs is relatively low. The results of the Germany National Health Interview and Examination Survey indicated a participation rate of 36.5% in 1997. Women in upper social classes participated more frequently than women in lower social classes. Participation rate dropped sharply among women over 55. In a health survey conducted in the State of Northrhine-Westfalia, 56.5% of participating women had a KFU during the year of the survey or in the previous year. Participation is strongly influenced by the knowledge of German women about the risks of cervical cancer.

To determine whether the German women know risk factors of cervical cancer, some researchers from the University of Mainz make a survey of Germany 1500 women age 25 to 75. From the results of these studies, was more than two third of the Germany women realize that they lack information about the risk of cervical cancer. In fact, only 3.2% of them knew that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for cervical cancer.

For that, a campaign about cervical cancer needs to be improved so that German women can better learn risk of cervical cancer. If they know the risk of this cancer, they will be more attention to prevent cervical cancer. Participation in cervical cancer prevention programs would be increased.

The month of May has been declared as Cervical Cancer Prevention Awareness Month in Philippines to build public awareness on cervical cancer. In this Cervical Cancer Prevention Awareness Month, we must build our attention on cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and control.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death among women in Philippines. The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable and curable if it is detected early. So, it is very important to build awareness on cervical cancer prevention.

I found a journal on BMJ which show increase of cervical cancer risk on female in whom the HPV persists for several months. Researcher show that women who have persist HPV infection are have a higher risk than who quickly clear the infection. This study is important for cervical cancer prevention, and for research into a vaccine against HPV.

Immediately after the onset of sexual activity, rates of HPV are very high as women become infected. In most women, the immune system will quickly clear the infection, but in a immunedefficience-women the HPV infection persists.

Latest cervical cancer study found that women were more likely to show cervical abnormalities called squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which sometimes become cervical cancer, when their infection persisted over several months (JAMA 2001;286:3106-14). From that study we can surely make a conclusion that HPV infection is cervical cancer risk factor which must be prevented.