About cervical cancer

How common is cervical cancer?

• Every day in the UK 8 women are diagnosed and nearly 3 women die of cervical cancer.^1,12
  People often think that cervical cancer only affects older women but…It is the most common cancer in women aged 20-29 and the second most common cancer in women under 35 years old.^12,13

How do you get cervical cancer?

• Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a common virus.² You could catch the virus, called HPV, as soon as you start having intimate relationships. HPV can be passed from person to person either through sexual intercourse or intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. It only takes one infected person to pass the virus on to you. This means that it is possible to catch it from just one sexual experience.³ The virus is usually cleared naturally but sometimes it persists inside the cells of the cervix and could cause abnormal cells to develop. If these cells are left undetected and untreated, they could go on to develop into cervical cancer.⁴

Who is at risk?

• Girls or women are at risk as soon as they start having intimate relationships. You may be at risk if you have had sexual intercourse or intimate skin-to-skin contact with your partner. It only takes one infected person to pass the virus on to you. This means that it is possible to catch it from just one sexual experience.³ The virus is usually cleared naturally but sometimes it persists inside the cells of the cervix and could cause abnormal cells to develop. If these cells are left undetected and untreated, they could go on to develop into cervical cancer.⁴

What type of sexual contact can put me at risk?

• HPV is spread through sexual contact – even intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can be enough to catch HPV.³

Am I still at risk if I use a condom?

• Yes. Using condoms is essential as they can help reduce the risk of infection with HPV that could lead to cervical cancer and also protect you against many sexually transmitted diseases, as well as unplanned pregnancy. However, they don’t give 100% protection against HPV as it lives on the skin in and around the genital area and is passed on through skin-to-skin contact, not bodily fluids.^8-11

What if I’ve been with the same partner for a long time?

• It only takes one infected person to pass the virus on to you. You can catch HPV from just one sexual relationship.³ The more partners your partner has had, the more likely you are to catch the virus.

What if I’m gay?

• You may still be at risk as you can catch the virus that can cause cervical cancer from intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area as well as through sexual intercourse. The more partners your partner has had, the more likely you are to catch the virus.

What if I’ve never had sex?

• HPV can be passed from person to person either through sexual intercourse or intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. It makes sense to make sure that you take as many steps as you can to reduce your risk before you decide to have sexual intercourse or intimate skin-to-skin contact with a partner or once you start having intimate relationships. It only takes one infected person to pass the virus on to you. This means you can catch it from just one sexual experience.³

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

• People with cervical cancer may feel quite well and not show any signs or symptoms of being unwell for a long time.²³ That is why going for your cervical screening tests when invited is so important – the tests will pick up cells that are changing and that could go on to develop into cervical cancer.²⁴ The following symptoms could be signs of cervical cancer:²⁵
  • Bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse
  • New bleeding after the menopause
  • Smelly discharge from the vagina
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse
  However, it is important to bear in mind that these symptoms are not always due to cervical cancer. It may be embarrassing to talk about these problems but it is important to go and see your doctor or nurse as soon as you have any symptoms or if you are at all concerned.