Cancer prevention

Cell changes in the cervix have been increasing in Western Europe and the US over the past 20 years. 3-5% of women are affected - predominantly aged 25-40.

Cervical cancer is rarely seen in adolescents but 25% of the women affected are under 40. Therefore, vaccination against HPV is very important. For more information about the vaccine and the human papilloma virus, the agent of precancerous tumours, click here.

Another main peak is between 60-64 years of age. It has thus become a kind of cancer also affecting women after menopause. The ratio of incidence is 15 : 100.000 women.

The preliminary stages of cervical cancer are more frequently observed than the fully-formed (invasive) cancer, due to the fact that younger women visit their gynaecologist, for various reasons (e.g contraception, sterility, pregnancy) more often nowadays. This shift is perceived as a success of check-ups.