Cervical cancer

This type of cancer develops in the cervix, which is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lowest part of the uterus (womb) which attaches to the vagina. The cancer begins to develop as abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, which usually take many years to become cancerous. In the UK, cervical cancer screening is offered to women to detect these early cellular changes in order to help prevent the disease.

Cervical cancer symptoms usually only appear when cervical cells have become cancerous, which may take a decade or more to occur.

Cervical cancer is fairly common and it is the most commonly occurring cancer for younger women up to age 35. The survival rate is good, mostly due to early detection and treatment. Cancer Research UK reports that almost 100% of cervical cancer cases are preventable.

Read more about cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix and is most often caused by a common infection that the majority of adults contract, called the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are lots of different variations of the virus, which is spread through touch and often contracted through sexual activities. There are no symptoms of HPV, so people develop it without realising and pass it to others. Some types of HPV lead to a high risk of cervical cancer. Read more about what causes cervical cancer.

When a person is given a diagnosis of cervical cancer, the cancerous cells will be graded 1, 2 or 3, with grade 1 cervical cancer showing that cells are mostly normal with some cancerous cells, and grade 3 being the most advanced – showing cells look mostly abnormal/cancerous.

There are lots of reasons why you may have these symptoms – they are not just symptoms of cervical cancer – but it’s really important you have them checked by your GP.

All women (or people with a cervix who are registered as ‘female’) living in the UK are eligible to undergo cervical screening, commonly known as a ‘smear test’, from age 25 up to age 64. Women receive a letter from their GP surgery every 3 years (for those aged 25 – 49) or 5 years (for those aged 50 – 64) to attend a screening appointment. It is up to each person to contact their surgery and book their smear test/screening appointment.

A smear test takes a sample of cells from the cervix and analyses them to check whether the cells look normal, or if they show any changes that could potentially mean they may become cancerous. Sometimes, cervical cells are also tested for HPV, but it depends where in the UK a woman lives as to whether or not this is part of the test.

A smear test is usually carried out by a nurse in a private treatment room. The nurse could be male or female, so if you feel strongly that you would prefer a female nurse, you can request this upon booking your appointment. Alternatively, you may wish to ask for a female chaperone within the surgery. Occasionally, a nurse will have a student or assistant with them. You are welcome to take a friend or family member into the test with you if you would like support.

You will need to remove underwear and trousers – you can usually leave a skirt or dress on if this is comfortable and practical. There will be a bed and a curtain for your comfort and privacy. The nurse will ask you to lie back, usually with your feet together and knees flopped apart to the sides. If this is uncomfortable for you for any reason, the nurse may be able to advise an alternative position for you.

Some people feel embarrassed in this situation, but it’s important to remember that the nurse does this all the time, and the test is usually over within minutes, with the potential to save your life.

The nurse gently inserts a small device called a speculum into your vagina which opens your vagina more so that the nurse can see your cervix. Some people find this uncomfortable but it is rarely painful. Then the nurse uses a small brush that gently touches your cervix to take some of the cells for analysis. After this you can get dressed and the appointment is complete.

Read more about what happens at a smear test.

It may take a couple of weeks to receive your smear test results which will arrive as a letter through the post. Some people may feel anxious waiting for their results, but try not to worry. Statistically, it’s rare for anyone to be diagnosed with cervical cancer from their smear test result. Most people receive a ‘normal’ result and no further action or treatment is required.

If your results come back and say ‘abnormal’, this means that some of the cells on your cervix may show some changes. If these are mild changes, you may not need any treatment, or may require a more regular screening to keep an eye on the cell changes. Sometimes, smear test results show that cell changes are more severe, and if this is the case, you may be invited for a colposcopy.

Occasionally, your results may show that the test was not successful meaning you will need to rebook an appointment for another smear test.

If your cells were also tested for HPV, this will be recorded in your results. If your test shows you have HPV, the results will be analysed alongside any cellular changes, to plan the next step, which may be to have another test in a year or so, or you may be referred for a colposcopy. If you have any queries regarding your result, you can speak to your GP or the cervical screening centre.

Read more about smear test results.

There are several treatment options for abnormal cells so, after a colposcopy, you may need to have minor procedures to remove the abnormalities, in order to reduce the risk of the cells becoming cancerous in the future. Read more about treatment for abnormal cervical cells.

A smear test is the first step to understanding if you are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Having abnormal cervical cells does not mean that you have cervical cancer or will ever get cervical cancer. However, some women do develop cervical cancer. If you have been given a diagnosis of cervical cancer, read on to find out more about what this may mean for you.

If you visit your GP with symptoms of cervical cancer, your GP will ask lots of questions about your symptoms, how long you have had them and when they occur.

Your GP may physically examine your tummy and carry out an internal exam to check your cervix and vagina, and possibly your rectum. They may suggest you keep an eye on the symptoms and come back in a couple of weeks, or they may refer you to a specialist or for tests.

There are two tests used to check for cervical cancer called a colposcopy and a cone biopsy. A colposcopy magnifies the cervix and enables abnormal cells to be seen, allowing samples to be taken which can be examined in a lab. A colposcopy is used if a woman has undergone cervical screening and abnormal cells have been identified. It is also used if a woman presents with cervical cancer symptoms.

A cone biopsy is a procedure carried out under general anaesthetic, which removes a cone shaped area of cervical tissue before being tested for cancerous cells.

If the test results show you have cervical cancer, you are likely to require further testing to check if the cancer has spread elsewhere around the body, such as blood tests, CT scan, MRI scan, X-ray or PET scan.

Read more about diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer diagnosis inevitably affects a woman’s daily life in several ways.

There are different types of cervical cancer treatments that you may be offered and your care team will be able to explain the benefits and side effects of these in detail to help you decide how you wish to progress. The types of cervical cancer treatment you are recommended will differ according to how advanced the cancer is.

Early cervical cancer may be treated with large loop excision of the transformation zone, which removes cancerous cells with an electrical current. This only requires local anaesthetic. Alternatively, a person with early cervical cancer may be offered a cone biopsy, which removes affected tissue from the cervical area under general anaesthetic. These treatments for cervical cancer are highly successful in removing cancer.

Surgery is often a cervical cancer treatment option when cancerous cells are more advanced, or where cancer has spread to surrounding areas of the cervix, i.e. into the rest of the reproductive organs. Surgery may therefore cause a woman to no longer be able to get pregnant or carry a baby, and some operations will cause menopause. These can be extremely difficult for a woman to deal with. 

Read more about surgery for cervical cancer.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are both used as cervical cancer treatments. Some people may require both treatments. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used to kill cancerous cells, help stop the cancer spreading and relieve cervical cancer symptoms in advanced cases. Read more about cervical cancer treatments.

Women who have been successfully treated for cervical cancer will have regular checks every few months to find out whether or not treatment has been successful. After a certain period of time, if their cancer is cured, they will still require regular tests.

Daily living aids can be useful products for cervical cancer patients. They can help make daily tasks easier for some women who may be recovering from treatment, have painful symptoms or have advanced cancer. Daily living aids could help make life more comfortable, help a woman to do everyday tasks that are causing pain or fatigue, and help women with mobility problems to get around more easily. Here, we list some of the activities daily living aids can help make easier.

If you are unsure what cervical cancer products may help you, contact our Occupational Therapist Product Advice team for free on 0345 121 8111, or by emailing productadvice@healthcarepro.co.uk

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for somebody going through cancer and post-cancer treatment. A healthy diet for cervical cancer recovery is also important, as it may help the body to heal. Some women who have cervical cancer treatment may find their appetite is affected. Read more cervical cancer diet advice.

Exercise may be the last thing on a woman’s mind if she is dealing with a cervical cancer diagnosis, experiencing difficult symptoms or undergoing treatment for cervical cancer. However, gentle exercise can help recovery, reduce anxiety and stress, improve mood, and reduce fatigue. Read more about being active when you have cancer.

Cervical cancer diagnosis may mean that a woman needs to take some time off work; this will be determined by how advanced the cancer is, and the cervical cancer treatment she undergoes. Many women are able to return to work if their treatment is successful. Read more information on cervical cancer and work.

Cervical Cancer and Pre-cancer Support Group – a Facebook support group for anyone who has cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cells, to discuss and share their experiences

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Forum – an online community for people to share their experiences of living with cervical cancer

Cancer Research UK – the leading cancer charity, providing information and advice about all types of cancer, treatments and research projects, as well as a nurse-run helpline

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – the only UK charity dedicated to supporting females with cervical cancer, and their families, providing online advice and information about all aspects of smear tests/cervical screening, cervical cancer and its treatment, as well as a helpline, real life stories, and a forum

Macmillan Cancer Support – charity supporting people with all types of cancer and their families, with online information and telephone helpline support regarding all aspects of living with cancer, as well as local support groups and ‘Macmillan nurses’ working in the NHS

Marie Curie – a UK charity supporting people with terminal illness and end of life care, providing lots of practical advice and tips on preparing for end of life, living with a terminal illness and a free support helpline

NHS – source of official medical advice and information about cervical cancer, symptoms, treatments and living with the condition

The Eve Appeal – a charity supporting women with gynaecological cancer such as cancer of the cervix, womb, ovary, vulva or vagina