If you have a cervix you are at risk of cervical cancer. This may be relevant to you if have not had a total hysterectomy (removal of the womb and cervix).
Cervical cancer affects around 3200 people a year in the UK. It can affect people of all ages, but is most common between 30 – 45 years of age.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a common infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual contact (including mutual masturbation, oral, vaginal and anal sex and the sharing of sex toys). HPV is a group of nearly 200 different viruses, some cause skin warts, genital warts and verrucae. Some of these viruses, known as high-risk HPV can lead to the development of certain cancers including some head and neck , anal, cervical, vulval, vaginal and penile cancers. Usually HPV causes no symptoms and is cleared by the immune system on its own. Sometimes, high risk HPV can cause cell changes whichin rare cases may lead to cancer.
There are two programmes in the NHS to help prevent cervical cancer, the HPV vaccination programme and the cervical screening programme. The HPV vaccine is offered to all young people aged 12-13 in school and is available up until the age of 45 in sexual health clinics for men who have sex with men and trans and non-binary people. It protects against nine strains of HPV.
Cervical screening is a test to help prevent cervical cancer. It is estimated to save 5000 lives a year and is available to everyone with a cervix from 25-64 years of age in the UK. It looks for high-risk HPV, and if HPV is found the cells will then be checked for any changes, which left untreated could develop into cancer. Any cell changes found will be either monitored or treated to help prevent cancer from developing.
Symptoms
The main symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding which includes:
- Vaginal bleeding during or after sex – this is often the first noticeable sign
- Bleeding in-between periods
- Bleeding after the menopause (12 months since your last period).
Other symptoms may include:
Lower back or pelvic pain, pain or discomfort during sex, changes to vaginal discharge including a change to smell.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your GP, even if you have recently had a clear cervical screening test. It is more likely to be caused by something less serious than cancer, but it is always worth getting checked, just in case. The earlier cervical cancer is caught, the more treatment options there are available and the best possible chance someone will have of successful treatment, so knowing what to look out for and getting any concerning symptoms checked as soon as possible is really important.
Risk factors
HPV
HPV is the most common risk factor for cervical cancer.
Age
Cervical cancer is more common in younger people with cervixes, 1 in 2 people diagnosed are under the age of 45.
Smoking
People with a cervix who smoke are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as those who don’t; this may be because smoking impacts the immune system so it can’t work as well, and is less able to clear the HPV virus.
Weakened immune system
People who have conditions which affect their immune system e.g. HIV and/or are on immunosuppression drugs long term (e.g. organ transplant recipients for example), can be at increased risk as their immune systems are less able to clear HPV.
Other sexually transmitted diseases
People who may have another sexually transmitted disease, for example, chlamydia may be at increased risk of cervical cancer.
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Information updated: November 2024. Next review due: November 2027
More information
If you have any more questions or worries about your gynae health, including cervical cancer and cervical screening, you can speak to our Ask Eve nurses for free and confidential information and advice.
