Who is affected by cervical cancer
It is estimated that there will be about 1,350 new cases of cervical cancer in Canada in 2006.1 Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide.2 It usually affects women older than 40.
About half of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a Pap test. Another 10% of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer have not had a Pap test in the last 5 years. Women in Canada with the highest risk for not having a Pap test or for not having routine Pap tests include:3, 4
- Older women, especially those 40 and older.
- Aboriginal women.
- Women who recently immigrated to Canada.
- Low-income women, especially those who live in rural areas.
The most significant risk factor for developing cervical cancer is a persistent infection with a high-risk type of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Being infected with a high-risk type of HPV or having other risk factors increases the chance that a woman with an HPV infection will develop abnormal cervical cell changes that may need further treatment.
The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased in developed countries around the world because of an increase in the use of Pap test screening and appropriate follow-up treatment. In developing countries, the Pap test is not as readily available as it is in more developed countries. Because of this, abnormal cervical cell changes in women who live in developing countries may progress to cervical cancer without the benefit of detection and treatment.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: January 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kevin Holcomb, MD - Gynecologic Oncology Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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