Human papilloma virus and its relation to cervical cancer prevention strategies

Human papilloma virus is the agent that is responsible for cervical cancer in women, that causes an overwhelming mortality in the developing countries. This is mainly due to the lack of effective screening programs. This DNA virus has over 200 serotypes, of which 18 are classified as oncogenic and 12 of these are high risk HPV prototypes. The time lag between infection and the progression to invasive cancer is almost 20 years. Pap smears are useful to screen women to pick up precancerous lesions. HPV DNA testing is more significant for detecting early changes in the cervix. Several factors increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, including multiparity, co infection with sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, and promiscuity. Vaccination provides a potent modality to improve the immunity to infection by the oncogenic types of HPV and thus reducing metaplastic changes in the cervix which ultimately undergo malignant transformation. This paper looks at the role of screening tests and the available vaccines and their efficacy in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.