Knowledge centre
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is largely preventable. Long-lasting infection with high-risk HPV is the main cause. Vaccination and screening find problems before they become cancer.
Risk factors
- Persistent high-risk HPV infection
- Limited access to screening
- Tobacco use
- A weakened immune system, including untreated HIV
Prevention
- HPV vaccination at the ages recommended in the national and state programme
- Screening with VIA, Pap smear, or an HPV test, as available locally
- Do not wait for symptoms if you are due for screening
- Tobacco cessation
Early signs
- Bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that is new, watery, or bloody
- Pelvic pain, or pain during sex
- Later symptoms can include back pain, leg swelling, or urinary change
Screening
Screening is for people who feel well. The test used depends on the local programme: visual inspection with acetic acid, Pap cytology, or an HPV test.
An abnormal screen is not a cancer diagnosis. It means a further check is needed. Treatment of precancer can often be done in an outpatient visit.
Treatment overview
Confirmed cancer is staged and may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. Precancer and early cancer are much simpler to treat than late disease.
Survivorship
Follow-up checks that treatment has worked and watches for effects on the bowel, bladder, and hormones. Screening still matters for people who have not had cancer.