Cervical Cancer

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Cervical cancer is a common type of malignancy accounting for about 6% of all cancers found in women. It is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the uterine cervix (this is the connecting passage between the uterus and vagina). The human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the principal cause of most cervical cancers. The peak incidence of cervical cancer occurs between the ages of 40 to 55. It is rare before the age of 35, however the incidence of cervical cancer in younger women rose dramatically during the two decades after 1960. Regular Pap smear tests may detect abnormal changes in the cervical tissues, before cancer develops. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include vaginal bleeding after intercourse or bleeding between periods. However, in the early stages of the disease there are often no obvious signs or symptoms, so regular smear tests are important. UK Cervical Cancer Links (7 links) Cancer of the cervix (Royal Marsden Hospital, UK) An on-line patient booklet. Cervical cancer (CancerHelp UK) Information about the cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with the disease. Cervical Cancer - Fact Sheet Cancer Research UK Feminine care (during and after radiotherapy to the pelvis) - A guide for women with cancer (Royal Marsden Hospital, UK) An on-line patient booklet. Questions and Answers: Cervical cancer From the CancerHelp Web site produced by Cancer Research UK. Understanding Cancer of the Cervix (BACUP, UK) An on-line booklet Understanding Cervical Smears (BACUP, UK) An on-line booklet See also International Cervical Cancer Resources See also UK National Cancer Organisations