Description
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women: cancer Registry data
indicate that about 500,000 new cases occur each year worldwide. The incidence
varies from country to country, the highest incidence being recorded in the developing
countries.1
In the European Union, about 13,000 women die each year from cervical cancer.2
Although cervical cancer accounts for only 4% of all cancer deaths in women, it is one
of the most common malignancies in women under 50. The major cause of cancer of
the cervix uteri is likely to be a sexually transmitted agent, possibly certain types of
human papillomavirus.3 Secondary prevention by mass screening of precancerous lesions
of the cervix leads to a reduced incidence and mortality of cancer of the cervix,4,6
the best results being obtained when all women in defined age groups are invited personally
to participate in community-based screening programmes.7 The highest rates
of cervical cancer are seen in Denmark, Portugal and the United Kingdom; rates about
half of those of Denmark prevail in the other Member States.8
In view of the fact that death due to cervical cancer is avoidable, it is very discouraging
to note that there is still an excessive number of deaths due to cervical cancer in
women under 55 in the United Kingdom and Denmark, compared to other EU countries.
9
Invasive cervical cancer can be prevented by a simple, effective, harmless and inexpensive
test: the cervical smear or Pap test developed by George Papanicolaou.10
The test allows rapid detection of precancerous lesions of the cervix, for which conservative
treatment exists which blocks any further development.