Cervical cancer deaths reduced by 40% with new treatment sequence, study finds

A global research team has discovered that altering the sequence of existing treatments for cervical cancer patients can reduce deaths by 40%, according to a study published in The Lancet.

The decade-long research, led by University College London (UCL), involved 500 patients across hospitals in the United Kingdom, Mexico, India, Italy and Brazil.

Half of the patients received the current standard treatment of simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The other half were given the experimental new method, which involved a short course of chemotherapy before the combined chemoradiotherapy.

After ten years of follow-up, the group receiving the new treatment sequence showed a 40% lower risk of death.

Additionally, the likelihood of cancer recurrence within five years was reduced by 35%.

Oncologists describe these findings as the most significant improvement in cervical cancer treatment in over two decades. Chemoradiotherapy has been the standard treatment method since 1999.

The researchers state that adapting the treatment regimen based on their study can be implemented quickly and without significant additional costs worldwide.

In the UK, 3,200 new cases of cervical cancer are recorded annually, primarily affecting women aged 30-39. This type of cancer claims the lives of 850 women each year in the country.