Cervical cancer and human papillomavirus. A glance from a family medical viewpoint

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a health population problem that affects all the world. It remains globally the second leading cause of death in women according to the reports of the International Agency for Cancer Research. In 2008 it was reported an incidence of 8.8 %, which represents a total of 530 232 new cases worldwide and a mortality rate of 8.2 %, meaning a total of 275 008 deaths from this pathology that year. If we bear in mind that the affected group is composed by women in reproductive age, we can size the sociodemographic and family consequences that this pathology brings. So the integral level approach with emphasis on the preventive area is the key to the reduction of morbidity from this disease. This premise suggests the need to offer a broad outlook about the role played by health personnel with care in Family Medicine.