Yin C, Li XB. Unlocking early detection: How screening can save lives from cervical cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2025; 16(5): 102456 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i5.102456]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xiao-Bing Li, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 116 South Zhuodaoquan Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China. lixiaobing0629@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Oncol. May 24, 2025; 16(5): 102456 Published online May 24, 2025. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i5.102456
Unlocking early detection: How screening can save lives from cervical cancer
Chen Yin, Xiao-Bing Li
Chen Yin, Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Panyu Central Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China
Xiao-Bing Li, Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Yin C drafted manuscripts; Li XB collected, analyzed, and summarized the literature.
Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, No. 2019CFC929.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Xiao-Bing Li, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 116 South Zhuodaoquan Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China. lixiaobing0629@126.com
Received: October 21, 2024 Revised: November 19, 2024 Accepted: March 4, 2025 Published online: May 24, 2025 Processing time: 212 Days and 23.6 Hours
Abstract
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Screening of cervical cancer is crucial because it can detect precancerous changes and early-stage cancer. Regard to the screening methods, combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cytological examination has superior sensitivity and specificity compared to cytology alone. Thus, recent guidelines recommend this combined approach instead of cytology alone to reduced cervical cancer incidence and mortality. By using this combination, HPV testing identifies high-risk strains associated with cervical cancer, while cytology helps detect abnormal cellular changes. This dual strategy enhances early detection rates, allowing for timely intervention and treatment. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated that this screening strategy also significantly reduced detection costs, indicating the potential for this screening strategy to be promoted, especially in economically constrained regions. Despite challenges in screening, such as accessibility, public awareness, and cultural attitudes, educating communities on the importance of HPV testing and cytology can improve participation rates. Overall, a combined HPV testing and cytology screening strategy represents a proactive approach to cervical cancer prevention, promising to save lives through early detection and treatment.
Core Tip: The combination of human papillomavirus testing and cytological examination allows for a comprehensive assessment of cervical health, targeting high-risk individuals more effectively. By identifying both human papillomavirus infections and abnormal cell changes, this strategy ensures timely follow-up and intervention for those at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. The study’s results indicate promising detection rates for precancerous lesions, demonstrating that this integrated approach can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and ultimately save lives.
