HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS AND OTHER RISK-FACTORS FOR CERVICAL-CANCER

Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women after c ancer of the breast, and the commonest in developing countries. In the last decade the etiology of cervical cancer has been unequivocally es tablished - over 90% of the cases in all countries are related to infe ctions to some strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). These infections are common in young age groups and resolve spontaneously in most inst ances. The typical HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) prevalence after th e third decade lies between five and 15% of women. These findings form the basis of new strategies for screening and prevention of cervical cancer.