Turning the tide against cervical cancer a journey from prevention to cure

Ms.Shraddha Annasaheb Deore , Mrs. Shailaja Milind Alai

Cervical cancer; HPV; Screening; Vaccination; Prevention; Treatment; Immunotherapy; Chemoradiation; Early detection; Pathogenesis.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, despite being largely preventable. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the primary etiological factor, highlighting the critical role of both primary and secondary prevention strategies. Advances in vaccination programs, sexual health education, and lifestyle modifications constitute the cornerstone of primary prevention, while early detection through high-performance HPV testing, cytology, and visual inspection-based screening facilitates timely intervention. Management strategies are tailored according to disease stage: early-stage cervical cancer is primarily treated with radical hysterectomy or fertility-sparing surgery, whereas locally advanced disease relies on concurrent chemoradiation with brachytherapy. Recurrent, persistent, and metastatic cases increasingly benefit from systemic chemotherapy combined with targeted therapies, including anti-VEGF agents and immunotherapy, with emerging modalities such as antibody-drug conjugates and induction chemotherapy showing promising results. Despite these advances, challenges remain in accessibility, treatment-related morbidity, and the integration of novel therapies in resource-limited settings. This review comprehensively examines current prevention, screening, and treatment strategies, highlighting the global progress and ongoing challenges in cervical cancer care, and underscores the importance of a multi-faceted approach to ultimately reduce disease burden and improve survival outcomes.

Volume 13 Issue 12, December-2025

Pages : g558-g569