Onkológia 1/2024

Cervical cancer prevention

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are associated with long-term persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Because of the etiopathogenesis and progression of invasive cervical cancer through precancer, cervical cancer is a preventable disease with primary and secondary prevention. The most effective method of primary prevention of cervical cancer is HPV vaccination. A well-organised population-based screening programme combined with HPV vaccination of adolescents can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

Keywords: cervical cancer, human papillomavirus, HPV vaccination, population-based screening