Cervical cancer is the result of persistent infection from carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) and while the vaccine is the best form of prevention, it is not 100 per cent effective.

This is where cervical screening comes in, as it allows healthcare professionals to identify potentially premalignant conditions and treat them before they become cancer.

In the past, cytology (Pap testing) was the most common form used in screening for cervical cancer, but it is slowly being replaced by testing for the carcinogenic types of HPV.

Internationally renowned OBGYN, teacher, and researcher in women's health and gynecologic oncology, and long term FIGO champion, Joanna M. Cain, MD shares her reflections:

It has been over twenty-five years since I first became involved in FIGO, and throughout this time we have witnessed some great successes in women’s health and rights.

The number of women being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is likely to rise to 371,000 new cases a year by 2035, according to a recent study collating data from 1,000 women in 39 countries.

Delays in diagnosis

Oncology, the branch of medicine dealing with cancer, has offered millions of women and children the opportunity to fight and survive their diagnosis, but the surgical, chemo and radiotherapies employed can be harsh.

In many cases, due to the fast turnover of reproductive cells, cancer therapy can permanently, temporary or partially affect reproductive function.