Current aims and challenges associated with cervical cancer prevention

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jun;57(2):241-55. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000026.

Abstract

This chapter will review the current modalities available to the clinician to screen for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions, which cast a broad net. The majority who test positive are not destined to suffer from or die from cervical cancer. Many who undergo screening and are triaged are young and subsequently face a number of aggressive and destructive therapies. This calls into question whether higher-risk patients should be managed more aggressively than an average-risk patient represented in the study population used to craft the guidelines.

MeSH terms

  • Alphapapillomavirus*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Primary Prevention
  • Risk Assessment
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines