Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a serious condition affecting women aged 15-45. World wide the cervical cancer is the third most frequent cause of cancer death in women, behind breast and lung cancer. In Europe, approximately 50,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 25,000 die each year due to this disease.

It is the only malignant disease where primary as well as secondary prevention is possible – since we know the cause – human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus is transmitted by sex or close contact with infected genial mucous membrane or skin . Approximately 80% of sexually active women are infected with this virus at a certain stage of their life. In most cases the infection is suppressed spontaneously, but in about 10% of women the infection persists in the cervical area. Medical studies have shown that persistence of the virus in the cervical cells after 25 years of age increases the risk of cancer by more than 100% compared to the healthy population. Most HPV infections are latent, impossible to prove by cytological or histological tests, only detection of HPV DNA is successful. Most infections in younger women are transitory (80%), in older women most infections are persistent.

Human papillomaviruses represent a large group of viruses. More than 150 types have been described, which can cause affections of skin and mucous membranes. Approximately 40 types are transmitted by sexual or close contact and may infect the mucous membrane and skin of the genital and anal area. The group is divided into two basic subgroups:

* Low-risk papillomaviruses (HPV low risk) - usually don´t cause cancer transformation. Mostly these viruses are responsible for condylomas on the mucous membranes and on the skin of female and male external genitals and anal area.
* High-risk papillomaviruses (HPV high risk) - are capable of causing precancerosis and cervical cancer, breast cancer and ano-genital cancer. This subgroup includes more than 65 types and approximately 30 types infect genital organs.

From the statistical viewpoint the most important are types 16, 18, 31 and 45, representing up to 80% of all infections. These viruses are found in 90% of all cervical cancer patients.
Among factors which increase the risk of cervical cancer are the early start of sexual life, promiscuity, number of labors and miscarriages in the patient’s history, first delivery at a very young age, smoking, drug abuse, immune deficiency and genetic disposition. The prevention is base on regular gynecological examinations, including cytological examination of cervical smears which may demonstrate cell transformation. Indole-3-carbinol (INDONAL) has a positive effect on the estrogen metabolism, helping to suppress the growth of cancer cells and facilitates the programmed death of the cancer and HPV-altered cells.