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Cervical cancer

• Risk factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Smear tests
• Stages of cervical cancer
• Treatment
• Prevention

Cervical cancer is the third most common women's cancer in the UK after breast and ovarian cancer. Overall, it is the twelfth most common cancer in females, with every woman having a 1 in 116 lifetime risk of developing the condition. Of the 3.4 million women aged 25-64 years who take part in the national cervical screening program, around 6% (just over 200,000) have an abnormal smear and 129,000 women are referred for colposcopy. But although just over 2,700 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, many have not had regular smear tests. The earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance for a cure. Most women who die from cervical cancer have never had a smear test at all. The smear is a routine test for detecting early changes in the cells of the cervix. Sometimes abnormal cells are spotted when the smear test is studied under a microscope. These abnormal cells are not cancerous but if left untreated they can sometimes go on to develop into cancer of the cervix.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. Experts do not know exactly what causes cervical cancer, but studies show that, in most cases, the human papillomavirus (HPV), is a primary cause. The normal cervix is a healthy pink colour and is covered with scale-like cells called squamous cells. The cervical canal is lined with another kind of cell called columnar cells. These cells are more easily inflamed than the squamous cells. But the area where the two cells meet - called the transformation zone (T-zone) - is the most likely area for abnormal cells to develop. The T-zone is more exposed on the cervix of young women (teens and twenties), making them more susceptible to cervical infections.

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