Etigy and screening of cervical cancer

Abstract

The etiology of cervical carcinoma is intrinsically linked to multiple interactions of viral products, particularly from human papillomavirus, with cellular DNA over time. Additional destabilization and interaction with circulating nicotine metabolites and with human-immunodeficiency-virus effects further increase the likelihood of a sustained neoplastic process. Protection of patients from the development of cervical carcinoma includes recommendations to not smoke and to avoid exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. Screening for the presence of a neoplastic process will decrease the incidence of the disease, but barriers to successful screening must be addressed and appropriate intervals for screening must be clinically driven. Recognition that infection with human immunodeficiency virus changes the time course of the neoplastic process is essential to the screening process.