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Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and affects the cervix [1].

The cervix
The cervix is the end of the narrow neck of the uterus (womb). It has a small opening into the vagina, which allows menstrual blood to pass through. As well as allowing menstrual flow, the cervix acts as a barrier. Importantly, it helps prevent infections getting into your uterus. The cervix plays an important role during childbirth when it opens to allow the baby to be born.

Location of the cervix

A healthy cervix

The disease
Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of a common virus called human papillomavirus or HPV. Cervical cancer is a consequence of persistent infection with a cancer-causing type of the virus and involves abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up the cervix.

There are nearly 100 types of the virus [2]. Most are non-cancer-causing types and do not lead to cervical cancer. Cancer causing types, however, can cause the development of abnormal cells that can lead to cancer of the cervix if left untreated. Even cancer-causing types, however, can be cleared by the immune system [3]. But in some instances they remain and over a long period of time they can cause cervical cancer - usually over about 10 to 20 years [4].Occasionally, this process can happen faster.

Cervical cancer symptoms
The early stages in the development of cervical cancer often cause no symptoms or signs of infection. This is why it is so important to have regular cervical smear tests - they are currently the only way of detecting abnormal cervical cell changes, the early signs of pre-cancer.

If cervical cancer does cause any symptoms or signs, the most common one is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, either between periods or after sex. In post-menopausal women there can be new bleeding. Others include unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge and pain during sex. If you have any of these symptoms or signs it is important that you visit your doctor or nurse. However there are many other more common conditions that can be the cause of such symptoms.

Who is at risk?
It’s important to bear in mind that all women who have a sexual relationship are potentially at risk from HPV infection – the cause of over 99% of cervical cancer cases [5] [6] [7]. Fortunately, the majority of HPV infections are in fact cleared naturally by the immune system [3].

Thankfully, there are a number of ways for you to protect yourself against cervical cancer. Regular smear tests can prevent cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix before they can become cancer [8]. You can also get vaccinated against certain types of the virus that can cause cervical cancer. Practising safe sex and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may also help to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

References

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