Role of Estrogen in Cervical Cancer Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second biggest cause of female cancer mortality worldwide with 288,000 deaths yearly. About 510,000 cases of cervical cancer are reported each year with nearly 80% in developing countries: 68,000 in Africa, 77,000 in Latin America, and 245,000 in Asia. The incidence of cervical cancer varies widely around the world, with the highest burden of disease occurring in less developed regions, largely reflecting the lack of screening programs. The Asia Oceania region accounts for just more than 50% of all cases and deaths from the disease worldwide, with South Central and Southeast Asia having the highest incidence and mortality rates. Every year across the Asia Oceania region almost 315,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer giving an overall incidence of 15.2 of 100,000: this is likely an underestimate. Cervical cancer ranks as the 3rd most frequent cancer among women in Indonesia, and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. Indonesia has a population of 79.14 million women ages 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year more than 13,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 7,500 die from the disease.