Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide in women under 45. About 2,800 women are diagnosed with this form of gynaecological cancer in the UK each year. The major cause of the main types of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and there are over 100 different types of HPV, many of which cause no harm. However certain types are considered 'high risk' for cervical cancer and these are transmitted through sexual contact. So, even if you have only had one sexual relationship you could be at risk of developing it - whatever your age or family history.
Fortunately, great progress has been made in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this form of gynaecological cancer. What is certain, is that regular smear tests, in women aged 25-65, play a vital role in minimising this gynaecological cancer. Similarly, the new vaccination against HPV, which prevents infection with the virus and therefore prevents the changes HPV causes which lead to cervical cancer, is of great benefit.
The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus infection. The virus is called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
HPV is a common virus that causes infection in the skin of the vulva, vagina and cervix. Most of these infections clear naturally through the body’s own defences but for some women the infection persists and causes problems, especially precancerous cells on the cervix (abnormal smear test) or cervical cancer.
HPV is very common and easily transmitted through sexual contact or even sometimes during intimate genital skin-to-skin contact without penetration. So any woman who has ever had sex, regardless of her age, is at risk of catching it.
In fact over 75% of sexually active women will be infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Most women who have an HPV infection have no symptoms and only discover that they have been infected when they have an abnormal smear test result.
Fortunately, in most women who become infected with HPV, the body’s immune system manages to fight off any infection. However when HPV manages to remain in the cervix, abnormal cells can develop and these can progress to cause cervical cancer.
Cervical screening with smear tests is designed to detect abnormal cells on the cervix that are caused by HPV before they become cancerous. When these changes are found, treatment is usually successful in eradicating the problem. Commonly, treatment involves a visit to a colposcopy clinic and a minor surgical procedure, usually in the outpatient clinic. In this way cervical smear testing and colposcopy have made a very big reduction in the number of cases of cervical cancer that we now see.
