Cervical cancer in Mexico and importance of sex education for early prevention in young people and rural population

• Main Authors: Raúl S. Moran García, María Luisa Quintero Soto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medwave Estudios Limitada 2012-08-01
• Series: Medwave
• Subjects: cervical cancer; prevention; screening; sex education
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2012.07.5453

Cervical cancer is a serious health problem due to high mortality rates that are associated with it. The high incidence rates can be explained by women and their families’ ignorance about this disease. In fact, cervical cancer can be diagnosed early and, if detected on time, the likelihood of cure is high. Latin America is considered at high risk for cervical cancer. More specifically, cervical cancer in Mexico ranks second in incidence after breast cancer, in spite of having a screening program for over 20 years, which has only been able to prevent 13% of potentially preventable cases. The purpose of this analysis is to once again address the importance cervical cancer, to offer a general overview of the nature of this disease, but most of all, to underscore the relevance of education as a means of detection and prevention.