Cervical cancer is most common in women, and people born with a cervix, in their early 30s. More than half of the cervical cancer cases in the UK each year are diagnosed in people under the age of 45.
What is cervical cancer?
The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb/uterus. Changes to the cells of the cervix may be cancer.
The cells on the outer-surface of the entrance to the cervix, or the glandular cells that produce mucus, may develop abnormally and may then become cancerous. This cancer usually grows very slowly, so early detection means it can be treated more successfully.
Having your regular cervical screening is a vital part of prevention of cervical cancer.
Regular cervical screening (a smear test) helps detect any abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix. Action can then be taken to prevent the cells developing into cancer.
HPV
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer (99.7%) are caused by high-risk HPV (Jo’s Trust). However, if you test positive for HPV it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer or will develop cervical cancer.
Changes to the cervical cells may be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 80% of adults will be exposed to HPV in their lifetime – it is a common virus which our immune systems usually clear with no problems. Most people don’t even know they’ve had it. It lives on our skin and the HPV which can lead to cervical cancer can be transferred through genital contact. But when a body doesn’t clear the virus, it can create abnormal cells. Sometimes, not always, these might become cancerous.
The HPV vaccination helps prevent cancer by protecting against HPV. In England, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years are routinely offered the 1st HPV vaccination when they’re in school Year 8. The 2nd dose is offered 6 to 24 months after the 1st dose.
It’s important to have both doses of the vaccine to be properly protected.
If you’re eligible and missed the HPV vaccine offered in Year 8, it’s available for free on the NHS up until your 25th birthday for:
- girls born after 1 September 1991
- boys born after 1 September 2006
Who can get cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer can affect women of all ages, but it is the most common cancer for women under 35 years old. 853 women died from the condition in the UK between 2017-2019 [Cancer Research UK].
However, cervical screening prevents deaths from cervical cancer and saves thousands of lives each year.
Around 3,200 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in the UK every year – that’s almost nine a day, and one in three [GOV.UK] women aged 25-64 don’t take up the offer for screening.
Trans men and people assigned female at birth, who have a cervix, can also get cervical cancer and are offered screening. Women are usually born with a cervix and trans men, non-binary, and intersex people may also have one. Jo’s Trust has detailed information about cervical screening for trans men and non-binary people.
Although cervical abnormalities are quite common in women under 25, cervical cancer is rare. However, cervical screening can identify whether you are at risk of developing cervical cell changes or cancer. It means that you can get the care or treatment you need earlier than without any screening results.
Screening for cervical cancer
Cervical screening (also known as a smear test) is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening is one of the four cancer screening programmes in the UK. Each year 5 million women are invited to a cervical screening appointment – which, annually, saves round 5,000 lives. That’s 5,000 mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.
You should be invited for cervical screening if you have a cervix. In the UK, you are automatically invited for cervical screening if you are:
- aged 25 to 64
- registered as female at your GP surgery
The cervical screening procedure takes only a few minutes, but we know that some women are hesitant about going. Watch this video for more information on how simple the procedure is:
Uptake is low [Jo’s Trust] in younger women (aged 25-29), older women (aged 60-64), those with a learning disability, in deprived areas, and in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
Jo’s Trust, a cervical cancer charity, has published additional videos in other languages that include all you need to know about why screening is best for you and how the procedure is carried out.
Nurses who undertake cervical screening are aware that some patients may feel uncomfortable at the appointment and understand how to support a patient through the procedure. Ultimately the patient is in control of the appointment and can stop the procedure at any time.
Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is often symptomless. However, the most common symptoms are:
- abnormal bleeding during or after sexual intercourse or between periods
- post-menopausal bleeding
- heavier periods than usual
- unusual and/or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- lower back pain
- discomfort or pain during sex
If you have a cervix and experience any of these symptoms, contact your GP surgery. Although the symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, you may need other treatment. And early diagnosis saves lives.
How do you reduce your risk of cervical cancer?
- get the HPV vaccination (if eligible) – both boys and girls aged 11-13 are offered the HPV vaccine and it is available for free to anyone up to age 25. The vaccination does not give 100% protection, but cervical cancer rates are predicted to fall in future decades because of the of HPV vaccination [Cancer Research UK]
- use a condom when having sex – HPV which can cause cervical cancer is transferred by genital contact. You are also at greater risk of cervical cancer if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with HPV, and using condoms can help protect against both
- quit smoking. Tobacco increases your risk of getting cervical cancer – this risk increases the younger you started smoking and the more you smoke each day. Ways to quit
- follow contraceptive advice on for how long you should take the pill. One in every 10 cases of cervical cancer is linked to taking ‘the pill’ for more than five years – talk to your GP at your next pill review
- know your family history of cervical cancer – if your mother, sister, or daughter has had cervical cancer, you have an increased risk of developing it too. This may be a genetic link, or it could be because of shared lifestyle factors, such a smoking
- have your cervical screening test – when your invite letter arrives, contact your surgery to arrange the appointment and go for it. It takes minutes and could save your life
For more information
FP: Jan 2022
LU: Jan 2023
