Cervical
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer usually starts in cells on the surface of the
cervix. These cells begin to grow and divide out of control.
They can spread into the tissue of the cervix and then to the
vagina, womb or bowel.
What are the symptoms of
cervical cancer?
There are often no symptoms but you may notice the following
signs:
- bleeding between periods
- bleeding during or after sex
- bleeding after you have been through the menopause
- any unpleasant vaginal discharge
- discomfort or pain during sex
These symptoms may be signs of other common conditions and do
not necessarily mean you have cancer but you should report them to
your doctor.
Can I prevent cervical
cancer?
You can minimise your risk by having regular screening tests
and:-
- by giving up smoking - smoking doubles the risk of developing
cervical cancer
- by not having unprotected sex - use a condom, cap or diaphragm
- these protect your cervix from sexually transmitted
infections
- by reducing your number of sexual partners - the more sexual
partners you have the greater your risk of HPV infection. If
your partners have had sex with a lot of people this increases your
risk
- by taking part in the cervical vaccination programme when
invited
Most people do not know that cervical cancer is linked to a
common sexually transmitted virus.
Over 95 % of cases of cervical cancer are associated with the
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV infection is extremely
common, affecting 70% of the sexually active population at some
time in their lives. It is usually cleared by the body's
immune system without causing problems but in some women it can
eventually lead to cervical cancer.
It is possible to catch the virus from just one sexual partner
and be unaware of it for years but the risk of getting an HPV
infection increases with the number of sexual partners.
Cervical Vaccination
programme
A vaccine, which prevents the development of some of the strains
of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which can lead to cervical
cancer is being introduced into schools via the school nursing
service. Girls aged 12 - 13 years of age will be routinely
immunised. It is essential people are aware that the vaccine is
most effective before women become sexually active, which is why it
is being offered to teenage girls.
The Cervical Vaccination programme will not replace the Cervical
Screening programme in the UK, even after the vaccines become
widely available. The vaccines don't prevent infection with
all types of HPV.
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening can detect early cell changes in the cervix
that are caused by HPV. Treating these cells prevents cancer
developing. Treatment is easy and effective. Cervical screening
saves the lives of thousands of women every year.
The test is simple and only takes around five minutes. It
should not be painful although some women do find it slightly
uncomfortable. A speculum is inserted into your vagina and
then eased open so that the cervix can be reached .
Liquid based cytology
The NHS Screening Programme has introduced a new way of
preserving the cells taken during cervical screening tests.
It is called liquid based cytology and women are benefiting
from this new more reliable technology. The cells are collected
from the cervix in the same way but using a very small brush
instead of a spatula. The head of the brush is broken off
into a small pot of liquid, or the cells rinsed off into the pot,
instead of putting the cells onto a slide.
The cells are better preserved, so the results of the test are
more reliable and you are less likely to be called back to have the
test done again.
How can Cobalt
help?
The Charity is aware that early diagnosis of a cancer is the key
to successful treatment and the cervical screening programme
detects cell changes before they become cancer which makes
treatment easier and effective. The Cancer Prevention Team
encourages women of all ages to get checked by their GP
if they have any of the symptoms listed above and regularly take
part in the Cervical Screening Programme.
Factsheet
For more detailed information about cervical cancer
Click here to view
the Cervical Screening Factsheet
For more information on cervical cancer visit the cancer
screening pages.
