January is observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month of January World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners works to raise awareness about cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths in 2020. About 90% of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. 

Although the number of new cases has been declining over the past decades thanks to the Pap screening, cervical cancer is still the second most common type of cancer for women worldwide.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, and it can be avoided by getting the HPV vaccine. Other risk factors include smoking, HIV infection, having three or more children, using birth control for a long time (five years or more), or engaging in several sexual relationships.

Cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable types of cancer when detected early and managed effectively. Late-stage cancers can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care. We can eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within a few generations if we take a comprehensive approach to prevention, screening, and treatment.