Contains the full lesson along with a supporting toolkit, including teachers’ notes.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is responsible for the deaths of up to 250,000 women worldwide each year. It is amenable to treatment in the early stages. Consequently, many countries operate cervical cancer screening programs (Cervical Check in Ireland: http://www.cervicalcheck.ie) for early detection of abnormalities in cervical cells that might progress to cancer. Most deaths of women occur in developing countries. There is evidence that more than 99% of cervical cancer cases result from a previous infection by HPV viruses.
What is HPV infection?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a double stranded DNA virus that infects squamous epithelia. Over 150 types of these viruses have been identified; more than 70 of them can cause infection in humans. Some types infect the squamous epithelium of the skin and are responsible for common warts (verrucae). Others infect the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and anogenital tracts. Around 40 of the viruses are transmitted by sexual contact and also from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Most people carry them at some stage in their lives. Some infections cause no symptoms and are transient. The body’s immune system will usually clear them within two years. However, if persistent infection occurs it can lead to anal, genital and oropharyngeal cancers in men and women. These cancers are not very common but cervical cancer has a substantial incidence. Vaccines that prevent HPV infections should reduce cervical cancer and a range of other cancers and genital warts.
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