Cervical Cancer Analysis: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Screening

This assignment delves into the complexities of cervical cancer, examining its pathophysiology and identifying key risk factors. The response begins by defining cervical cancer as a serious health issue, highlighting its association with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and discussing the asymptomatic nature of HPV transmission. It then explores the primary risk factors, including the persistence of high-risk HPV strains, and the resulting genomic modifications. The assignment also addresses cervical cancer screening in Australia, detailing the evolution of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP), including changes from a 2-yearly Pap smear to a 5-yearly HPV test. The rationale behind these changes, aimed at early detection and prevention, is discussed, along with the estimated reduction in cancer risk. The assignment concludes by referencing relevant studies and guidelines that support the analysis of cervical cancer, screening, and risk factors.

CERVICAL CANCER
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

Question one
Cervical cancer is serious health issue that may have severe consequences on the health
of an individual. The development of cervical cancer is preceded by an infection with Human
Papillomavirus which is transmitted through sexual intercourse. A large number of people with
Human papillomavirus may not identify any symptoms but they may still transmit it to other
people with whom they have intercourse (Dodd, Obermair & McCaffery, 2019). The presence of
HPV is characterized by warts on private parts or surrounding region. Generally the main risk
factors for cervical cancer are unsuccessful clearance of the virus and chronic infection with high
risk human papilloma virus. Although a majority of HPV infections clear on their own in months
or years, high risk HPV leads to the modification of a woman’s genome sequence which in
return affects the physiology of a woman (Hall et al.,2019). Risk factors identifiable from
Sarah’s case include Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the presence of High Risk HPV
serotypes.
Question Two
Cervical cancer screening in Australia is one of the strategies used by the Australian
government to prevent and manage cases of cervical cancer in the country. The latest cervical
cancer screening guidelines in Australia include the revision of Australia’s National Cervical
Screening Program (NCSP) in 2017( Obermair, Dodd, Bonner, Jansen & McCaffery, 2018). The
legislation passed by Australia’s two houses of parliament proposed the change of cancer
screening test from 2 yearly Pap smear for females between 18 and 69 years to a 5 yearly HPV
test for females between the age of 25 years and 74 years. In other words, the changes based on
the recommendations from Medical Services Advisory Committee proposed the commencement

of cervical cancer screening at the age of 25 years. It also recommended the administration of a
cervical cancer screening tests between the age of 70 and 74 years (Farnsworth, 2016).
Basically the change of screening from two to five years was meant to reduce the risk of
cervical cancer among women. The introduction of the new guidelines estimated a reduction of
risk for cervical cancer among women by about 22% (Hammond, Canfell & Saville, 2017). The
assumption behind this reasoning was that change of the guidelines from a two-yearly smear test
to a five yearly Human Papilloma virus test would enhance early detection of cervical cancer.
Most importantly, early detection makes it possible to identify pre-cancerous lesions in the
cervix. The treatment of the lesions in the cervix prevents them from developing into cervical
cancer (Mishra, Pimple & Shastri, 2011).

References
Dodd, R. H., Obermair, H. M., & McCaffery, K. J. (2019). A thematic analysis of attitudes
toward changes to cervical screening in Australia. JMIR cancer, 5(1), e12307.
Hall, M. T., Simms, K. T., Lew, J. B., Smith, M. A., Brotherton, J. M., Saville, M., ... & Canfell,
K. (2019). The projected timeframe until cervical cancer elimination in Australia: a
modelling study. The Lancet Public Health, 4(1), e19-e27.
Hammond, I., Canfell, K., & Saville, M. (2017). A new era for cervical screening in Australia:
Watch this space!. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, 57(5), 499-501.
Farnsworth, A. (2016). Cervical cancer screening in Australia: Past and present. Cancer
cytopathology, 124(4), 231-234.
Mishra, G. A., Pimple, S. A., & Shastri, S. S. (2011). An overview of prevention and early
detection of cervical cancers. Indian journal of medical and paediatric oncology: official
journal of Indian Society of Medical & Paediatric Oncology, 32(3), 125.
Obermair, H. M., Dodd, R. H., Bonner, C., Jansen, J., & McCaffery, K. (2018). ‘It has saved
thousands of lives, so why change it?’Content analysis of objections to cervical screening
programme changes in Australia. BMJ open, 8(2), e019171.

Describe pathophysiology of cervical cancer. What risk factors can you identify in
Sarah’s case?