Pathophysiology of cervical cancer

Pathophysiology of cervical cancer
HPV infection comes with two major risk factors namely high-risk (HR) HPV and unsuccessful
clearance of the virus. Although most HPV infections disappear by themselves after few months
or years, HR HPV usually transforms the genome sequences which affect the physiology of the
woman hence diverse clinical appearances. According to Johnson, James, Marzan, and Armaos
(2019), in some women, there may be squamous intraepithelial lesions of up to two years after
the clearance of the infection. This then results into an infection of the basal cells between the
columnar epithelium of the endocervix and the squamous epithelium of the ectocervix. The
replication of the viral happens in the cells of the epithelium through the differentiation cycle
where dispatching of genes coding for viral replication factors occur (Salina Zhang, Batur, &
NCMP, 2019). The replication of the HPV DNA starts after the duplication of the DNA of the
basal cells. In Sarah’s case, the risk factors identified are a high lifetime sex partners, and the use
of birth control pills.
Guidelines for Cervical Screening in Australia
Cervical cytology in Australia is a cost-effective screening aimed at minimizing the incidence
and mortality of cervical cancer through detection and consequently treating the precursors.
Currently, the screening guidelines require that the HPV test for partial genotyping should be
undertaken after every 5 years. The cervical screening tests should also be done on vaccinated
and unvaccinated women aged 25 -74 years old. Moreover, the guidelines recommend that
people with deep symptoms should be screened at any age. Although Pap smear is no longer
required, the guidelines still involve the use of a vaginal speculum during examination although
the medium of the sample is liquid-based and tests on the presence of HPV. According to