Preventing Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed in women in southern Africa, with an estimated lifetime risk of 1 in 26.1 Unfortunately most of these cancers are also diagnosed at late stage, with subsequent poor prognosis for long-term survival. This very high incidence is particularly sad in an era where advances in medical science have made cervical cancer a mostly preventable disease. In most developed economies cervical cancer has become a less common occurrence due to intensive screening and preventive strategies.