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About Cervical Cancer

A Quick Guide

Contents
This is a brief summary of the information
on About cervical cancer from our
website. You will find more detailed
information on the website.
In this information there are sections on
The cervix
Cervical cancer risks and causes
Cervical cancer screening
Cervical cancer symptoms
Types of cervical cancer
Should I see a cervical cancer
specialist?
Questions for your doctor

You can view this information in a larger

print on our website.
The cervix
Where and what is the cervix?
The cervix is another name for the neck of the womb.
It is the opening to the womb from the vagina. It is
really a strong muscle. Normally it is quite tightly shut,
but during labour it opens up to let the baby out.

The cells of the cervix

The cervix has a layer of skin like cells on its outer
surface. Cancer of these cells is called squamous cell
cervical cancer. There are glandular cells lining the
inside of the cervix. The glandular cells produce
mucus. Cancer of these cells is called
adenocarcinoma of the cervix.
The area where cervical cells are most likely to
become cancerous is called the transformation zone.
It is the area around the opening of the cervix that
leads on to the narrow passageway running up into
the womb.
Lymph nodes
There are lymph nodes around the womb and cervix.
The nearest large groups of lymph nodes are in the
groin (at the top of each of your thighs). The lymph
nodes are part of the lymphatic system. Tissue fluid

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that bathes the area containing the cancer will drain

to the nearest lymph nodes. When you have surgery
for cancer, your surgeon will usually take out some
lymph nodes and send them to the lab to be checked
for any cancer cells that have broken away from the
tumour.
Cervical cancer risks and causes
HPV infection
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the major cause of
cervical cancer. There are many different types of
HPV. Some types of HPV cause genital warts and are
sometimes called the genital wart virus. The types of
HPV that cause warts are not the types that cause
cervical cancer. Some other types of HPV are
considered high risk for cancer of the cervix. HPV is
passed on from person to another through sexual
contact.
Women who get cervical cancer have had past
infections with HPV. High risk types of HPV can cause
changes in the cells covering the cervix that make
them more likely to become cancerous in time. But
most women infected with these viruses do NOT
develop cervical cancer. So other factors must also be
needed.
Other risks
Women who smoke are more likely to get cervical
cancer than those who don't. Taking the pill could
increase a womans risk of cervical cancer. It is not
clear why this is. Women with a weakened immune
system are also more likely to get cervical cancer and
so are those who have had a large number of
children.
Cervical cancer screening
Cervical screening is very important because we can
stop cervical cancer from developing. This is one of
the few cancers that is preventable because pre
cancerous cell changes can be picked up before they
have a chance to develop into cancer.

They do this by putting an instrument called a

speculum inside your vagina and then scraping the
cervix with a small brush. They put the brush and cells
into a small pot of liquid and send it to the laboratory.
Who is screened?
If you are between the ages of 25 and 60 in the UK,
you will be contacted at least every 3 to 5 years and
asked to go for a cervical screening test. The age that
screening starts and finishes varies between the
different countries of the UK.

Screening test results

The test picks up pre cancerous changes. If you have
an abnormal result, it does NOT mean that you have
cervical cancer. But you may need further tests or
treatment for abnormal cells.
Cervical cancer symptoms
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is
bleeding from the vagina at other times than when
you are having a period. You may have bleeding:
Between periods
After or during sex
At any time if you are past your menopause
Some women also have:
A vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
Discomfort or pain during sex
Doctors call pain related to sex dyspareunia. There are
many other conditions that cause these symptoms.
Most of them are much more common than cervical
cancer. But you should go to your doctor straight
away if you have any of these symptoms. You
probably don't have cancer. But if you do, the sooner
you are treated, the more likely you are to be cured
and usually the less treatment you will need to have.
Pre cancerous cell changes do not usually have any
symptoms. Which is why it is so important to have a
regular smear test.

The screening test involves a nurse or doctor taking a

small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix.
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Types of cervical cancer

There are two main types of cervical cancer:
Squamous cell cancer
Adenocarcinoma
They are named after the type of cell that becomes
cancerous. Squamous cells are the flat skin like cells
that cover the outer surface of the cervix (the
ectocervix). Squamous cell cancer is the most
common type of cervical cancer.
Adenomatous cells are gland cells that produce
mucus. The cervix has these gland cells scattered
along the inside of the passageway that runs from the
cervix to the womb (the endocervical canal).
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer of these gland cells. It is
less common than squamous cell cancer, but has
become more common in recent years. Between 1 in
10 and 1 in 20 cases of cervical cancer are
adenocarcinoma. It is treated in the same way as
squamous cell cancer of the cervix.
Other rarer types of cancer
Very rarely, other types of cancer can occur in the
cervix. For example, lymphoma which is a cancer of
the lymphatic system. If you have this rare cancer,
then this information is not the right one. We have
separate information on lymphoma and its treatment.
Should I see a cervical cancer specialist?
It can be very difficult for GPs to decide who may
have a suspected cancer and who may have
something much less serious. There are guidelines for
GPs to help them decide which patients need to see
a specialist urgently.

Guidelines for urgent referral

You should ideally get an appointment within 2 weeks
for an urgent referral. The symptoms that need
urgent referral for possible cancer of the cervix are:
Any sign of cancer of the cervix your GP can see
from an internal examination
Heavy bleeding after the menopause in women
not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Bleeding that is persistent or unexplained after
stopping HRT for 6 weeks
Repeated bleeding after sex or between periods
for no apparent reason
If you are concerned that your GP is not taking your
symptoms as seriously as you think they should, you
could print this page and take it along to an
appointment.
What to ask your doctor about cervical cancer
How will I know if I have cervical cancer?
Am I more likely to get cervical cancer than
anyone else?
Will smoking affect my risk of cervical cancer?
My mother had cervical cancer. Does this mean I
am more likely to get it?
Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of
cervical cancer?
How often should I have a smear test?
Who will give me the results of my smear test?
Will the results be explained to me?
I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need smear
tests?
How are smears checked in this health authority?
Is there an alternative to smear tests?
I have had an abnormal smear. How long will I
have to wait for treatment?

What your GP should do first

Your GP should examine you internally if you have a
change in your menstrual cycle, bleeding after sex,
bleeding if you are past your menopause, or an
abnormal discharge from your vagina. The GP should
do a full internal examination of your vagina, using a
speculum so that they can see the cervix properly.
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Notes

For more information, visit our website http://www.cruk.org/cancerhelp

You will find a wide range of detailed, up to date information for people affected by
cancer, including a clinical trials database that you can search for trials in the UK.
Our information is based on the best current scientific evidence and reviewed
regularly by leading clinicians and experts in health and social care.
For answers to your questions about cancer call our Cancer Information Nurses on
0808 800 4040 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Adapted from Cancer Research UKs Patient Information Website CancerHelp UK in September 2012. CancerHelp
UK is not designed to provide medical advice or professional services and is intended to be for educational use only.
The information provided through CancerHelp UK and our nurse team is not a substitute for professional care and
should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have, or suspect you may have,
a health problem you should consult your doctor. Copyright Cancer Research UK 2012. Cancer Research UK is a
registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and in the Isle of Man (1103)

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