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Cervical cancer is uncommon in developed countries where screening is strictly implemented. Internationally, cervical cancer remains to be one of the most common cancers in women. As a matter of fact, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the developing countries. Based on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the most commonly type of cancer that occurs in ages 50 to 70 years old. However, there is an increase in the number of reported cases of in women less than 40 years old over the last two decades.
The cause of cervical cancer has already been established through numerous studies and researches. It has been known that it develops from genital infection caused by certain strains or species of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are over a hundred strains of HPV, but the two most commonly involved strains are HPV 16 and 18 which are the etiology of more than 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. HPV is mostly transmitted though unprotected sexual intercourse. Infection can develop as soon as the virus shed to the infective site however not all infections could cause symptoms. Some may go undetected while others present with genital warts that is a potential source of development.
