A Descriptive Study on Cervical Cancer Screening Methods

Year : 2026 | Volume : 04 | Issue : 01 | Page : 37 42
By

P. Sunitha,

  1. Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, O.P. Jindal College of Nursing, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Cervical cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to preventive services is often limited. This review presents an overview of the disease, covering its global burden, underlying causes, available screening approaches, treatment options, and preventive measures. Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized as the main cause of cervical cancer, with certain strains contributing more significantly to disease progression. Screening plays a crucial role in early detection and includes methods such as Pap smear testing, HPV DNA testing, and visual inspection techniques. Early diagnosis through these methods has been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. Treatment strategies depend on the stage of the disease and may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches. In recent years, newer modalities such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy have gained attention for their potential to improve outcomes. Preventive strategies, particularly HPV vaccination, have brought notable progress in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. However, disparities in vaccine coverage, limited healthcare infrastructure, and low awareness levels continue to hinder effective control of the disease in many regions. Strengthening screening programs, improving access to vaccination, and promoting public education are essential steps toward reducing the overall burden of cervical cancer

Keywords: Cervical cancer, epidemiology, HPV, HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening

[This article belongs to International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices ]

How to cite this article: P. Sunitha. A Descriptive Study on Cervical Cancer Screening Methods. International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices. 2026; 04(01):37-42.
How to cite this URL: P. Sunitha. A Descriptive Study on Cervical Cancer Screening Methods. International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices. 2026; 04(01):37-42. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijonnp/article=2026/view=257543

References

  1. Hemavathy V, et al. Cervical cancer: A literature review. Int J Nov Res Dev. 2023;8:b550–b553.
  2. Fowler JR, Maani EV, Dunton CJ, et al. Cervical cancer. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431093/
  3. Okunade KS. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(5):602–608. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1634030. Erratum in: J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40:590. doi:10.1080/01443615.2020.1713592.
  4. Habtemariam LW, Zewde ET, Simegn GL. Cervix type and cervical cancer classification system using deep learning techniques. Med Devices (Auckl). 2022;15:163–176. doi:10.2147/MDER.
  5. Zhang S, Xu H, Zhang L, Qiao Y. Cervical cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and screening. Chin J Cancer Res. 2020;32(6):720–728. doi:10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.06.05.
  6. Cancer Research UK. (2026). Types and grades of cervical cancer. London: Cancer Research UK. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/stages-types-grades/types-and-grades
  7. Compass Oncology. (2026). HPV and cervical cancer: What’s the connection? [online] Portland (OR): Compass Oncology. Available from: https://www.compassoncology.com/blog/hpv-and-cervical-cancer-whats-the-connection
  8. Ghebre RG, Grover S, Xu MJ, Chuang LT, Simonds H. Cervical cancer control in HIV-infected women: Past, present and future. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2017;21:101–108. doi:10.1016/j.gore.2017.07.009.
  9. Roura E, Castellsagué X, Pawlita M, Travier N, Waterboer T, Margall N, et al. Smoking as a major risk factor for cervical cancer and pre-cancer: Results from the EPIC cohort. Int J Cancer. 2014;135(2):453–466. doi:10.1002/ijc.28666.
  10. Lyman GH, Somerfield MR, Bosserman LD, Perkins CL, Weaver DL, Giuliano AE. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with early-stage breast cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(5):561–564. doi:10.1200/JCO.2016.
    0947.
  11. American Cancer Society. (2026). HPV and HPV testing. Atlanta (GA): American Cancer Society. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-and-hpv-testing.html
  12. National Cancer Institute. (2026). Cervical cancer screening. [online] Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening
  13. Palefsky JM, Giuliano AR, Goldstone S, Moreira ED Jr, Aranda C, Jessen H, et al. HPV vaccine against anal HPV infection and anal intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1576–1585. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1010971.
  14. Kunkule R, Pakale R, Jadhav S, Nerkar A. Review on cervical cancer. Curr Trends Pharm Pharm Chem. 2020;2(2):39–44.
  15. ai. (2026). D06.1 Carcinoma in situ of exocervix. [online]. GenHealth.ai. Available from: https://genhealth.ai/code/icd10cm/D06.1-carcinoma-in-situ-of-exocervix
  16. Boice JD Jr, Day NE, Andersen A, Brinton LA, Brown R, Choi NW, et al. Second cancers following radiation treatment for cervical cancer. An international collaboration among cancer registries. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1985;74(5):955–975. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(17)47726-3.
  17. World Health Organization. (2026). Cervical cancer elimination initiative [online]. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/initiatives/cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 04
Issue 01
Received 28/03/2026
Accepted 30/04/2026
Published 06/04/2026
Publication Time 9 Days

Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics

Support