Article Critique
As indicated in the paper of Duval, Gilca, Boulianne, Pielak, Halperin, Simpson, Sauvageau, Ouakki, Dube, & Lavoie, (2009), aside from breast cancer, cervical cancer can be considered as one of the most common disease affecting women worldwide. In particular, developing countries appears to be the most affected of this form of cancer. Based on the recent global estimates, there are about 493,000 new cases of women with cervical cancer annually. Moreover, about 274,000 women die of cervical cancer every year (Ferlay, et al, 2002). Among developing countries, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women due to inefficient screening systems and programs. The regions that are greatly affected by this health problem are recognized as among the poorest in the world.
Compared to women in Europe and North America, there is a greater prevalence of cervical cancer among Central and South American, Caribbean, sub-Saharan African and Asian women. Specifically, countries with significant rates or cervical cancer include Tanzania, Bolivia, Papua New Guinea an India (Ashford & Collymore, 2004). It is unfortunate that due to lack of sufficient and effective screening programs, cervical cancer that remains undetected and untreated properly often leads to death. Indeed, the increasing mortality rates related to cervical cancer is one of the major indicators of how grave this cancer can be to women all over the world. In addition, the absence of a mother negatively affects the family, particularly the children. Hence, prevention and cure is a necessity.
From this overview, it becomes clear how cervical cancer has been recognized as a global problem. Aside from having sufficient screening programs and effective cure for this disease, the most important matter perhaps is the promotion of awareness and knowledge with regards to cervical cancer.
According to the paper of Duval, et al (2009), the cervix refers to the opening of the womb or the uterus. In the case when uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells is observed in the cervix, this then results to cervical cancer. The primary virus that causes cervical cancer is known as the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, though it is not the sole cause of the disease (Walboomers, 1999). According to Muñoz and associates (2003), among the 50 types of HPV that can infect the genital tract, 15 of these types are identified to be oncogenic which is related to cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus is one of the most typical sexually transmitted infections. However, it has also been observed that in majority, a span of one to two years can make the infection undetectable. In one study for example, 46% out of the total group of HPV negative college women selected for the research had HPV infection within 3 years. A median follow-up of sixty months was done, and the researchers concluded that most of the HPV infections did not lead to cervical lesions (Moscicki et al., 2001).
In general, infection is very common among women especially as they reach reproductive maturity. In some cases however, this infection may undergo changes that can lead to dysplasia, a condition which pertains to the formation of abnormal cell tissues on the cervix. The degree of severity of dysplasia can be mild to severe. Severe forms of dysplasia can then lead to invasive cancer which develops over several years (Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, 2003).
Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of death among women all over the world; hence, it is considered as a global health issue. In the Phillipine, Israeli and American setting, there are many possible factors that can contribute to the incidence of cervical cancer. Aside from severe virus infection, it can also be caused by economic influences, people’s lifestyle, religious beliefs, traditions and individual statuses. While this is so, it does not take away the fact that several women can still be affected and maybe even die in the future due to this disease. Thus, the most important matter in this issue is not to focus only on the identification of the factors that can or cannot cause the disease, but the establishment of means of how to prevent and treat it. In developing countries for example, funding and efficient screening programs are the most common aspect that need to be addressed. Equal access to healthcare should also be promoted so as to deliver services to the target population. Programs should also integrate all factors that can help women prevent the acquisition of this disease.
From the gathered materials, it shows that cervical cancer can be fatal, yet it is important to note that it is also preventable. Thus, women in particular should become more active in knowing how cervical cancer can be prevented and treated. Women who are already suffering from this disease should be given substantial support from the health providers and most importantly, from their family members. As individuals, it is imperative that each should be responsible in taking care of one’s body and health.
References:
Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, (2003), “Natural History of Cervical Cancer: Even Infrequent Screening of Older Women Saves Lives”. Cervical Cancer Prevention Fact Sheet.
Ashford, L. and Collymore, Y. (2004), Preventing Cervical Cancer Worldwide. Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention. Population Reference Bureau. Washington, DC: USA.
Ferlay J. et al. (2002), GLOBOCAN 2002: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide, IARC Cancer Base No. 5. version 2.0, (Lyon: IARCPress, 2004), Available: www-depdb.iarc.fr/globocan/GLOBOframe.htm (Accessed: 2005, March 11).
Muñoz, N. et al. (2003), “Epidemiologic classification of human papillomavirus types associated with cervical cancer”. New England Journal of Medicine vol. 348, no. 6, pp. 518–527.
Walboomers, J.M. et al. (1999), “Human papillomavirus is a necessary cause of invasive cervical cancer worldwide”. Journal of Pathology, vol. 189, pp. 12–19.
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