Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In 2022, around 662,000 new cases were diagnosed, and approximately 349,000 women died from the disease. It’s especially prevalent in low- and middle-income countries where access to HPV vaccines and regular screenings is limited.
The cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the cervix, often triggered by a long-lasting infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is spread through intimate contact and, if persistent, can gradually transform healthy cells into precancerous or cancerous ones.