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Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is one of the leading causes of death from cancer among women (Parkin et al., 1993; Pisani et al., 1993). Since it frequently afflicts relatively young women, its toll in reduced life span is considerable. The wide global variation in incidence (Brinton, 1992; Parkin et al., 1993)(Fig. 1) indicates that the impact of this cancer would be much reduced by application of current knowledge to populations with high incidence and death rates. On a global scale, carcinoma of the cervix may be the most preventable major form of cancer.

Suggested or implemented means of control include alteration of life style (sexual behavior), vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), testing for HPV infection, cytological screening, early clinical detection and improved therapy. We underscore the need for a thorough appreciation of tumor biology and of the natural history of cervical cancer to understand …