• What is cervical cancer?
• How common is cervical cancer?
• How is cervical cancer detected?
• Can cervical cancer be treated?
• What can I do to decrease my chances of getting cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among Malaysian* women. (Source: Second Report of the National Cancer Registry Cancer Incidence in Malaysia (2003); Ministry of Health Malaysia) 28 Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women (behind breast cancer). The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently more than 2 million women in the world who have cervical cancer. Every year, 490,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed. That is more than 1,350 new cases per day.

Nearly 650 women worldwide will die every day from cervical cancer in 2006, according to the World Health Organization. That is why it is important to talk to your healthcare professional about a Pap test, which can help detect suspicious cell changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer. Cervical cancer can occur at any age in a woman’s life, beginning in adolescence (although uncommon). About half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years of age. Many of these women were most likely exposed to HPV during their teens and 20s. The crude incidence rate for cervical cancer in 100,000 female population in Peninsular Malaysia is 13.4 out of 100,000 for girls/women between 15-49 years of age, and 62.9 out of 100,000 for women between 50-69 years of age. (Source: Second Report of the National Cancer Registry Cancer Incidence in Malaysia (2003); Ministry of Health Malaysia ) ₂₈

Footnote:

*Incidence of cervical cancer in the 2003 National Cancer Registry is for Peninsular Malaysia only. Data for Sabah and Sarawak is not included.