Overview
Cervical cancer usually develops in the cervix (the lowest part of the uterus connecting to the vagina). Up to 99% of cases are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) — an extremely common sexually transmitted virus.
Although the HPV vaccine reduces the risk, regular screening remains essential because the vaccine cannot protect against all HPV strains.
It is one of the most common diseases in women, especially from age 30 onward. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, the incidence in Vietnam was 6.6 per 100,000 women (2.3% of all cancers), with a mortality rate of 3.4 per 100,000. Most patients seek care when the disease is already advanced.
- Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, arising from the thin, flat (squamous) cells on the outer surface of the cervix.
Risk factors
- Multiple sexual partners: Increases risk through exposure to different HPV strains.
- Persistent HPV infection increases the risk of cervical cancer.
- Early sexual activity (before 18), while the cervix is still developing.
- Multiple births: Hormonal changes during repeated pregnancies and weaker immunity make HPV infection more likely.
- Tobacco: Carcinogens in tobacco increase the risk.
- Weakened immune system (HIV/AIDS, immunosuppressants, organ transplant) reduces the ability to fight HPV.
Stages of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is divided into 4 main stages according to the FIGO classification (updated 2018).
Stage 1: Cancer has grown from the surface into deeper tissues of the cervix but has not spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Stage 2: Cancer has grown beyond the cervix and uterus but not to the pelvic walls or lower vagina; no spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread to the lower vagina or pelvic walls and may block the ureters; it may or may not involve nearby lymph nodes; no distant spread.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum, or to distant organs such as the lungs or bones.
Cervical cancer screening
At NURA, cervical cancer is screened using colposcopy. The Pap smear is the traditional method but can be inaccurate. During colposcopy, the doctor closely examines the cervix with a special magnifying instrument with a strong light, allowing fast and accurate diagnosis. NURA uses a dual-fluorescence colposcope with artificial intelligence (AI) that, in addition to ordinary light, uses blue light to improve visibility and accurately detect early stages of cancer — a highly sensitive screening tool.