Cervical Cancer Screening in Transition: Global Challenges and Local Realities
Screening methods like cytology, HPV DNA testing, and self-sampling can reduce cervical cancer rates and deaths
Cervical cancer remains a major global public health concern that disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite being largely preventable through effective primary and secondary prophylaxis. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of cervical cancer, highlighting the importance of both HPV vaccination and HPV-based screening. This narrative review examines current evidence on the natural history, prevention, and epidemiology of cervical cancer, with particular emphasis on screening practices and emerging innovative methods. It highlights the global patterns in cervical cancer incidence and mortality and provides regional contexts with the specific focus on the evolution of cervical cancer screening techniques, including cytology-based methods, HPV DNA testing, and the increasing role of self-sampling approach. Future perspectives are discussed in relation to the World Health Organization’s cervical cancer elimination strategy.
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality among women, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening. Ensuring effective screening and vaccination programmes is essential to reduce global disease burden and health disparities.
Evidence level: Állatkísérletes. Állatmodellben vizsgálták.
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