MINI REVIEW CERVICAL CANCER CONTROL, PRIORITIES AND NEW DIRECTIONS

Cervical cancer is caused by infection with a range of high risk “oncogenic ” human papillomavirus (HPV) types, and it is now accepted that>99 % of cervical cancer is initiated by HPV infection. The estimated lifetime risk of cervical cancer is nevertheless relatively low (less than 1 in 20 for most community based studies). Although sensitivity and specific-ity of the available diagnostic techniques are suboptimal, screening for persistent HPV infection is effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. Infection can be detected by molecular techniques or by cytological examination of exfo-liated cervical cells. Persistent infection is the single best predictor of risk of cervical cancer.1 The latest findings of HPV and cervical cancer research need to be widely disseminated to the scientific and medical societies that are updating screening and management pro-tocols, public health professionals, and to women and clini-cians. This report reviews current evidence, clinical implica-tions and directions for further research in the prevention, control and management of cervical cancer. We report the conclusions of the Experts ’ Meeting at the EUROGIN 2003 conference