Cervical Cancer

The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), although not all women with a HPV infection will get cervical cancer. The infection can be spread during sexual activity. Other risk factors are:

• A male sexual partner with:
  1. History of many sexual partners
  2. Partner who has had cervical cancer
  3. Previous sexually transmitted infection
• A previous sexually transmitted infection
• First sexual activity at a young age (younger than 20 years)
• Many sexual partners
• Smoking
• Use of an oral contraceptive pill

Early cervical cancer has no symptoms. You should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A single swollen leg
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina (after sexual intercourse or between menstrual periods)
• Chronic constipation and feeling a presence of a stool despite having emptied your bowel
• Leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina
• Low back pain or pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge
• Painful or difficult urination and cloudy urine

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer:

• Early stage cervical cancer is treated by removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) or radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays), often with chemotherapy
• Late stage (advanced) cervical cancer is treated by radiation therapy, often with concurrent chemotherapy 
• Pre-cancer of the cervix is treated by removing the abnormal cells from the lining of the cervix – this usually prevents cervical cancer from occurring