CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1. BACKGROUND Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer in women, and the seventh overall, with an estimated 530 000 new cases per year. More than 85% of the global burden occurs in low-income countries (LICs). It is responsible for 275 000 deaths per year, about 88% of which occurring in LICs. Overall, the mortality: incidence ratio is 52. (Ferlay et al, 2010).