Gynecologic Oncology and Cervical Cancer Screening
Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancers that originate in a woman’s reproductive organs, including the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vulva, and vagina. Among these, cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet prevalent forms, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to screening and vaccination is limited. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It typically progresses slowly, beginning as a precancerous lesion known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which can be detected through routine screening and treated before developing into invasive cancer. Over the past decade, the implementation of HPV vaccination programs and the introduction of more sensitive and specific screening methods have dramatically altered the landscape of cervical cancer prevention. The HPV vaccine, now available in bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent formulations, protects against the most common oncogenic HPV strains. Vaccination of girls (and increasingly boys) before the onset of sexual activity has shown a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical and other HPV-related cancers. Screening remains a cornerstone of cervical cancer control.