Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the cervix – the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It is primarily caused by persistent infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through sexual contact. The immune system usually often fights off HPV. Sometimes, however, the virus can lead to the development of cancerous cells.
Early detection by regular Pap smears, together with vaccination against HPV, is important in preventing cervical cancer. If diagnosed early, cervical cancer is highly treatable with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.
Unfortunately, cervical cancer generally has no symptoms that would lead to an early diagnosis, and it may not be detected until the cancer has spread. This makes awareness and regular screenings very important.
Prevalence of Cervical Cancer
Among common cancers in women, cervical cancer ranks fourth worldwide and counted 660,000 new cases in 2022. [1] About 350,000 deaths occurred from this cancer, and 94% of these deaths were in low- and middle-income countries due to a lack of health services for screening and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV).
This, therefore, means that HIV-positive women are at a six-fold increased risk of cervical cancer compared to others, adding to the disease burden in places with a high prevalence of the infection, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Cervical cancer rates are highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to the limited availability of cervical cancer screening services. [2]
Cervical cancer most often occurs in women over the age of 30 years, peaking at ages 35-44 years; however, older women are at risk, too, especially if they have not been getting regular screenings. [3]
Cervical Cancer Survival Statistics
The survival rate of cervical cancer directly depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Here is a rough presentation of how the survival rates based on the stages of cancer could look:
Stage 1: About 95% of patients survive five years or longer after diagnosis.
Stage 2: Around 70% survive for five years or more.
Stage 3: More than 40% survive for five years or more.
Stage 4: About 15% survive for five years or more.
Overall, 80% of cervical cancer patients will survive one year or more after their diagnosis and about 60% will survive to the five-year mark. Ten-year survival is approximately 50%. [4]
Many factors come into play in determining prognosis, such as the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, the grade of the cancer cells, the type of treatment administered, and the patient’s general health.
[Note that these survival rates are based on UK statistics due to the lack of global data. Survival rates may vary by region, healthcare access, and population factors.]
Cervical Cancer Costs
Treatment expenses for cervix cancer are usually very high, often combining surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. A study conducted in the U.S. found found that the median cost per patient during the first year after diagnosis was around $56,000. [5]
The median expenditure among patients who underwent surgery was about $37,200, while the expenditure reached a high of $101,200 among those receiving primary radiotherapy. These numbers indicate the high financial burden that cervical cancer may place on patients and healthcare systems.
Costs will vary significantly by country. The figures provided are based on US data, where medical treatments tend to be among the highest globally.
Where to Find More Cervical Cancer Information
There are currently no prominent websites solely focused on cervical cancer. However, the following resources offer detailed and reliable information, making them ideal sources for understanding the disease comprehensively.
Best Websites for Research Stats
- Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK provides a detailed summary of the causes of cervical cancer, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. It is a good starting point for detailed information as it links related topics to survival rates, abnormal cells, and advanced cervical cancer. See their page on Cervical Cancer. [6]
- Healthline
Healthline has a broad overview of cervical cancer regarding causes, risk factors, treatment, and current studies. Well worth reading and well-organized to provide evidence-based information. Refer to Everything You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer. [7]
Best Websites for In-Depth Exploration of the Disease
- Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive content from the Mayo Clinic on cervical cancer covers symptoms, causes, and treatment options. The information is well-organized, easy to read, and supported by images. Learn more on their page about Cervical Cancer. [8]
- Cancer Council
The Cancer Council provides a front-page overview of cervical cancer – from symptoms of the disease, treatment, diagnosis, and much more. It also has related images to help you understand the anatomy of the cervix. This is a good and reliable source to look at, with links for each topic on a separate page; easy and in-depth. Look up What Is Cervical Cancer? on their website. [9]
- WebMD
WebMD offers a well-organized overview of cervical cancer, covering symptoms, causes, and treatments in a user-friendly format. Learn more in their Cervical Cancer section. [10]
Best Websites for Quick Reads
- Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic has a fair amount of information on cervical cancer in some detail, yet in a concise manner. They have information on pretty much everything, in a somewhat easy-to-understand style, using lots of bullet points so you can skim and get an idea of what is covered. Visit their Cervical Cancer page for more information. [11]
- The National Health Service (NHS)
The NHS has a clear and accessible article which is subdivided into sections on causes, symptoms, tests, and treatments. This structured approach makes it straightforward to find specific information quickly. Learn more at Cervical Cancer. [12]
The Bottom Line
Although serious, cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable if caught early. Regular Pap smears and HPV vaccinations remain the best defenses against the disease. Early detection minimizes the financial costs of treatments and greatly improves survival rates. For further information, please refer to sources listed above.
Reference
- World Health Organization. “Cervical Cancer.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 5 Mar. 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer.
- Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa, et al. “Cervical Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Urgent Call for Improving Accessibility and Use of Preventive Services.” International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, vol. 33, no. 4, 1 Apr. 2023, ijgc.bmj.com/content/33/4/592.full, https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2022-003957.
- American Cancer Society. “Cervical Cancer Statistics | Key Facts about Cervical Cancer.” Www.cancer.org, 17 Jan. 2024, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html.
- Research UK, Cancer . “Survival for Cervical Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/survival.
- Blanco, Miranda . Cost of Care for the Initial Management of Cervical Cancer in Women with Commercial Insurance. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000293782030867X.
- Cancer Research UK. “Cervical Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Cancerresearchuk.org, 4 Sept. 2023, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer.
- Watson, Stephanie. “Everything You Need to Know about Cervical Cancer.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 July 2014, www.healthline.com/health/cervical-cancer#risk-factors. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. “Cervical Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501.
- National Cancer Institute. “Cervical Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 15 June 2023, www.cancer.gov/types/cervical.
- Zilpah Sheikh. “Cervical Cancer.” WebMD, WebMD, 2007, www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Cervical Cancer Symptoms, Signs & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, 2018, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12216-cervical-cancer.
- NHS . “Overview – Cervical Cancer.” NHS, 2021, www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/.
