Globally, every 2 minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Malaysia and is the fourth leading cause of death in women aged 15-44 years.
About 99% of all cervical cancers are due to sexual contact with persons with human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease.
In developing countries, 2/3 of the population have had HPV infection.
There are about 150 strains of HPV of which 15 strains cause cervical cancer.
Two main strains, HPV 16 & 18 are responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer. Other high risk types include HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
Protection against high risk oncogenic HPV types are important.
Early detection and screening (PAP SMEAR & HPV DNA TEST) and HPV VACCINATIONS can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by at least 70%
Cervical cancer is slow growing.
Pre-cancerous lesions which could potentially become cancer may take 10 years to become cancer.
This is when we can do something about it and why regular screening is very important.
