Cervical cancer statistics - Key Facts

This page presents key cancer incidence, survival and mortality statistics, the main risk factors for cervical cancer. A table of the latest cervical cancer statistics is also available.

The cervical cancer statistics on these pages are designed for health professionals. If you are looking for information because you or someone you know has been affected by cervical cancer, then the CancerHelp UK pages on cervical cancer may be more useful and relevant. 

CancerHelp UK also includes a straightforward guide to understanding statistics.

 

How common is cervical cancer?

  • cs_womb_diagramCervical cancer is the twelfth most common cancer in women in the UK and the third most common gynaecological cancer after uterus (womb) and ovary.
  • There are around 2,800 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the UK each year, that is around 55 women every week.
  • More than half of all new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in women under 50 years, that’s around 1,650 cases each year.
  • Overall, cervical cancer incidence rates in Britain have almost halved in the last 20 years.
  • Cervical cancer accounts for 1 in ten cancers diagnosed in women worldwide.
  • Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Southern Africa and Central America.

Read more in-depth cervical cancer incidence statistics.

 

How many women survive cervical cancer?

  • Around two thirds of women with cervical cancer survive their disease for five years or more.
  • Cervical cancer survival is higher in women diagnosed at a younger age. Women under 40 years of age have survival rates of more than 85%.

Read more in-depth cervical cancer survival statistics.

 

How many women die from cervical cancer?

  • Around 940 women die from cervical cancer each year in the UK.
  • In the UK, it is rare for young women to die from cervical cancer; almost 80% of all cervical cancer deaths occur in women aged 45 and over.
  • Cervical cancer death rates have fallen almost two-thirds in the last 30 years.
  • Worldwide, cervical cancer accounts for almost 1 in ten female cancer deaths.

Read more in-depth cervical cancer mortality statistics.

 

 

What are the main causes of cervical cancer?

  • cs_cerv_HPVInfection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor and a necessary cause of cervical cancer.
  • Women with HIV/AIDS are at significantly increased risk of cervical cancer.
  • Infection with the sexually transmitted diseases, herpes simplex virus-2 or Chlamydia trachomatis, may increase risk of cervical cancer.
  • Women with a sister or mother who has had cervical cancer are at increased risk of developing it themselves.
  • Smoking increases risk of cell cervical cancer.
  • Long term use of the oral contraceptive pill increases the risk of cervical cancer.

Read more in-depth cervical cancer risk factors.

 

 

Cervical screening and vaccination

  • The NHS Cervical Screening Programme was set up in 1988 by the Department of Health.
  • Cervical screening can prevent around 75% of cancer cases in women who attend regularly.
  • HPV vaccination in schools was introduced into the national immunisation programme in 2008, for girls aged 12-13.

Read more in-depth cervical cancer screening statistics.

 

 

Cervical cancer statistics table

Cervical cancer - UK Females
Number of new cases (UK 2006) 2,873
Rate per 100,000 population* 8.5
Number of deaths (UK 2007) 941
Rate per 100,000 population* 2.4
One-year survival rate (for patients diagnosed 2004-2006**, England) 83%
Five-year survival rate (for patients diagnosed 2001-2006**, England) 64%

*age-standardised to the European population **period estimates

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