It is the second most common cancer in women world wide, after breast cancer. While the incidence of cervical cancer has been reduced by about 75 percent between the 1940s and 1980s, the disease is serious and remains a leading cause of all reported cancer deaths.
Cervical cancer is common in Zambia among the sexually active young women.
HIV has compounded the problem. HIV infection, especially HIV-2 has made cancer of the cervix the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many regions across the globe. As gynaecologic conditions associated with HIV infection are attracting attention, of particular interest is the connection between HIV and cervical cancer. A report entitled The Global Aids Policy Coalition affirms that most cervical cancer cases in HIV-infected women include a history of human papilloma virus infection. In fact, invasive cervical cancer is a likely clinical indicator of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in resource poor countries.