Health briefs

World Heolth • 50th Yeor, No. 2, Morch-April l9977 Health briefs Cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus Cancer of the neck of the womb (cervix uteri), or cervical cancer, is the most common cancer in women in developing countries. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer problem in women, with half a million new cases each year. lt kills more than 300 000 women every year. In more than 9 out of 1 0 cases, cervical cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is transmitted sexually and has various types. HPV types 16 and 18 are known to be carcinogenic, types 31 and 33 are classed as "probably carcinogenic" and other types are considered to be possibly carcinogenic. Cervical cancer is linked with starting sexual activity at an early age and having multiple sexual partners. If detected early, while it is still asymptomatic, it can usual ly be cured by surgery or radiotherapy. Mass screening programmes involving regular cervical smear tests have reduced deaths from cervical cancer by up to 7 0% in some countries. Joining forces against epilepsy The International league Against Epilepsy has joined forces with WHO in a campaign to make people more aware that epilepsy is treatable. Epilepsy is the commonest serious brain disorder, affecting one in every 150 people. More than 40 million people worldwide have the disorder and there are 2 million new cases every year, yet four in five newly diagnosed patients can be successfully treated with anti-epileptic drugs. Reported AIDS cases up 20% As of 25 November 1996, the cumulative number of cases of the acquired ·mmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ever reported to WHO was 1 544 067. This number, which includes both adults and children, represents a 20% rise from the 1 291 810 cases reported as of December 1995. This is far from being the whole story, however. Allowing for under-recognition, incomplete and delayed reporting, and on the basis of the available data on HIV infections around the world, it is estimated that around 8.4 million AIDS cases have occurred worldwide since the pandemic began. Of these, an estimated 6.7 million cases have been in adults and an estimated 1.7 million in children. lt is estimated that 7 5% of adult AIDS cases have occurred in Africa, with 8% in North America, 7% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 6% in Asia, 4% in Europe, and less than 1% in Australia and New Zealand. Number of people with diabetes will double in next hall-century 27 Some 120 million people worldwide currently have diabetes and this number is predicted to rise to more than 250 million by the year 2050. This doubling of the number of people with diabetes is forecast because of ageing of the population and a rise in unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency which leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood. This in turn causes damage to the blood vessels, nerves and other oody systems. In the long term it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, and even gangrene that requires amputation of limbs. Insulin is produced by the pancreas but in people with diabetes the amount produced falls short of normal needs, or the body's tissues become resistant to its action. About one in five persons affected by diabetes develops the insulin-dependent form, which means that they become totally dependent on daily insulin injections. For them, insulin is a life-saving medication. Other diabetes sufferers are non-insulin-dependent but up to one-third of them may use insulin injections from time to time to control their condition. Unfortunately, insulin is not available in some developing countries, or must be bought privately at a high price. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), cost is one of the most important factors in making insulin available to all who need it. WHO considers insulin an essential drug and has been working with the IDF to try and make insulin both more available and more affordable. A diabetes patient self-administers her doily dose of insulin. The number of people suffering from diabetes will double worldwide in the next half century. Photo WHO.