What Is Cervical Cancer? What Are Its Risk Factors

Cervical cancer is diagnosed in about 500,000 women globally each year, and over 300,000 women die from the illness. Most often, the human papilloma virus (HPV) (Small DNA viruses known as papillomaviruses are found throughout nature and may infect a large number of different animals.) high-risk subtypes are the source of the illness. Most of the illness is avoidable. 90% of cervical cancer cases happen in low- and middle-income nations without organized screening or HPV immunization programs. Since the start of official screening programs 30 years ago, the incidence and death of cervical cancer have been substantially reduced in high-income nations. Treatment options include radical hysterectomy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two, depending on the severity of the illness upon diagnosis and the resources that are accessible locally. Women with locally severe illnesses have reported reduced treatment-related toxicity due to advances in radiation technology, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy. While the general prognosis for women with recurrent or metastatic illness is still poor overall survival has since been extended beyond 12 months with the addition of the anti-VEGF drug bevacizumab

Risk Factors

1. HPV Infection
2. Smoking
3. Oral contraceptives
4. Low immunity
5. HIV infection
6. Genetics
7. Multiple pregnancy