Cervical Cancer and sexual activity describes the well-established causal link between sexually transmitted human papillomavirus infection and the development of malignancy in the cervix, the lower segment of the uterus. Persistent infection with high-risk, oncogenic HPV types, transmitted predominantly through sexu…
Cervical Cancer and sexual activity describes the well-established causal link between sexually transmitted human papillomavirus infection and the development of malignancy in the cervix, the lower segment of the uterus. Persistent infection with high-risk, oncogenic HPV types, transmitted predominantly through sexual contact, is the necessary cause of nearly all cervical cancers; the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 inactivate the p53 and retinoblastoma tumour-suppressor pathways, driving the progression from normal epithelium through cervical intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive carcinoma. Because transmission occurs through sexual activity, recognised behavioural and biological risk factors include early age at first intercourse, multiple sexual partners, a partner with multiple partners, and co-factors such as smoking, immunosuppression, high parity and other sexually transmitted infections. Most infections are transient and cleared by the immune system, with only a minority persisting to cause disease, often over many years and frequently without early symptoms. This natural history makes the condition highly amenable to prevention and early detection through prophylactic HPV vaccination, cytological (Papanicolaou) and HPV-based screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions. Screening uptake varies markedly across populations and settings, and improving access, alongside vaccination, is central to reducing incidence and mortality from this largely preventable cancer.
5 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.