The RNC reports that the incidence of cervical cancer has dropped in the last decade and it develops more frequently in women ranging age from 30 to 40.

Dr. Luciana Bertolino, president of the Society of Lower Genital Tract Pathology, Colposcopy and Cytology in Uruguay, explained that in “the vast majority of cervical cancer cases” is being caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

“HPV is an extremely frequent virus” and most of the population has been infected, has it or will have it at some time in their lives, Bertolino told La Diaria news media.

According to Bertolino, 315 to 330 cervical cancer cases are being registered annually in Uruguay, but “there should not be any” because there are prevention measures which, despite the fact that “we are exposed to the virus”, are quite effective.

She considered that cervical cancer deaths are “a shared responsibility between population and national health system”.

If women go to regular gynecological check-ups and studies such as PAP and colposcopy are undergone, the premalignant lesion is detected “early”, treated and patient “does not go on to develop cancer”.

The specialist remarked that the HPV vaccine is the “most important” measure to reduce infection by this virus and, therefore, also this type of cancer.

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