Although still a deadly cancer, the mortality rate for cervical cancer has declined 71% since 1969, due to the use of the Papanicolaou test, which screens for potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix.1,2 Today, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and has the fourth highest mortality rate.3 The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 13,800 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2020, and approximately 4290 women will die from the disease.1 How much do you know about cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, with its origins in the squamous-columnar junction (where the vagina meets the cervix). There are 2 main types of cervical cancer: squamous-cell carcinoma, which comprises approximately 80% to 90% of all cervical cancers, and adenocarcinoma, which makes up approximately 10% to 20% of cervical cancers.4 The majority of individuals diagnosed with cervical cancer are of Hispanic ethnicity, with the average age at diagnosis being 50 years.1 However, greater than 20% of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged >65 years.1 The 5-year overall survival rate for cervical cancer is 66% for all stages combined; 92% for localized disease; 56% for regional disease; and 17% for distant disease.1 Public awareness of cervical cancer needs to remain a priority to increase survival rates, reduce incidence rates, and improve patient quality of life.
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