Question

The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have declined in the last 40 years in Western societies. Why? What preventable measures have been included in wellness exams?

Answer 1

The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have declined in the last 40 yrs in western societies due to:

1. Increase awareness among women about cervical cancer. This has been achieved through health education.
2. Human papillomavirus is associated with the development of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV as been developed and has been administered to young girls. This has reduced the rate of HPV infection among women.
3. The development and widespread use of pap smear. A pap smear is a simple screening test to identify cervical cancer. it is not diagnostic in itself but can help identify suspicious lesions. Further confirmatory tests ( biopsy) can be done to confirm the presence of malignancy.
4. This has allowed early diagnosis of cervical cancers.