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Cervical cancer at a glance

Each year, there are around 2,700 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK, just one per cent of new cancer cases diagnosed.

Although there is a higher chance of developing cervical cancer later in life, it is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35.

Cervical cancer develops from cells lining the cervix, which is the canal that connects the uterus to the vagina. During childbirth, the baby passes through this canal.

Cervical cancer takes time to develop. There is usually a period when some of the cells lining the cervix develop abnormal changes but are not yet cancerous - these can give rise to cervical cancer later on. Doctors can pick up these changes through screening, and a simple treatment can prevent cancer developing.

The NHS cervical screening programme has been very effective in reducing the number of cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the UK.

Click on the links below to find out more about cervical cancer.

• Risks and causes
• Signs and symptoms
• Screening
• Detection
• Treatment

If you are a patient looking for information on cervical cancer, please visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK.

Risks and causes

The following things affect a person's chances of developing cervical cancer:

There are many types or strains of HPV. Some types can cause warts. Others are known as high-risk types, as they can cause abnormalities in the cells in the cervix which may become cancerous in time.

Women who get cervical cancer have had past infections with a high-risk strain of HPV, but the vast majority of women infected with these viruses do not go on to develop cervical cancer.

Research shows that smoking increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can affect the cells in the cervix.

If you have a poor diet and are infected with 'high risk' HPV, your body may be less able to fight off the virus. So more cells may undergo the genetic changes that can lead to pre-cancerous cells and then to cervical cancer.

Recent research has shown that taking the contraceptive pill could slightly increase a woman's chances of developing cervical cancer. It is not clear why this is.

People with a weakened immune system have an increased risk of many cancers, including cervical cancer. Infection with HIV may increase the susceptibility to infection with HPV because of a weakened immune system.

You can find out more about what 'cancer risk' means in the 'Understanding 'risk'' section of this website.

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Signs and symptoms

Changes in the cervix and the early stages of cervical cancer do not usually cause symptoms. More advanced cervical cancer does cause symptoms. These include:

• bleeding after sexual intercourse
• bleeding between menstrual periods
• bleeding after the menopause
• an unusual discharge
• discomfort or pain during sex.

Women who experience any of these symptoms should not delay in seeing their doctor. However, these symptoms are most likely caused by other conditions.

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Screening

Currently, the NHS cervical screening programme in the UK will automatically call women between the ages of 25 and 49 for cervical screening (known as a 'smear') every 3 years. Women between 50 and 64 will be called for screening every 5 years.

The idea of the smear test is to detect any abnormal changes in cells before cancer develops. If the test detects any abnormalities that could go on to become cancer, the doctor will arrange for further tests and possible treatment.

Detection

The following tests are used to diagnose cervical cancer:

The doctor will carry out an examination and ask questions about any previous medical problems. After referral, a specialist may carry out further tests.

This is an examination of the cervix similar to that involved in the smear test. A colposcope is used to closely examine the surface of the cervix.

This is a minor operation under general anaesthetic. A small cone of tissue is cut away from the cervix for examination under the micoscope, to look for abnormal cells.

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Treatment

Treatment options will depend on the stage of the cancer. The main treatments for cervical cancer are:

If you have surgery for cervical cancer, you will usually need to have a hysterectomy. For some very early cervical cancers, it is possible to remove just part of the cervix. This is called a 'radical trachelectomy'.

With radiotherapy, doctors can successfully treat many small cervical cancers. Sometimes radiotherapy may be given instead of surgery.

Chemotherapy may be given along with radiotherapy for certain stages of cervical cancer.

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