Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020. About 90 percent of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

According to the World Health Organization (2023),  a large majority of cervical cancer (more than 95 per cent) is due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Two human papillomavirus (HPV) types (16 and 18) are responsible for nearly 50 per cent of high-grade cervical pre-cancers. 

HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Most sexually active women and men will be infected at some point in their lives, and some may be repeatedly infected. More than 90 per cent of the infected populations eventually clear the infection.

Although most HPV infections clear up on their own and most pre-cancerous lesions resolve spontaneously, there is a risk for all women that HPV infection may become chronic, and pre-cancerous lesions progress to invasive cervical cancer.

It takes 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems. It can take only 5 to 10 years in women with weakened immune systems, such as those with untreated HIV infection.

Using condoms and HPV vaccination are two of the ways you can prevent cervical cancer from HPV.  Having regular pap screens once you become sexually active can help to detect pre-cancerous cells in the cervix.  If cervical cancer is detected, it is curable if detected early.

For more information on HPV vaccines and other sexual health questions, contact the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre at healthcentre@upei.ca or 902-566-0616)to make an appointment and talk to a health care provider.