Cervical cancer
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix. It happens when cells in the cervix become abnormal and change slowly over time.13 Anyone with a cervix is at risk of getting it.14 Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is the cause of cervical cancer.15 In most cases, it takes 10 to 15 years for persistent HPV to lead to abnormal cells and develop into cervical cancer.4
How common is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is the 9th most frequent cancer among women in Ireland.16 Every year in Ireland about 290 women get cervical cancer.13 In women aged 25 to 39 years, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer.13
Cervical cancer is very rare in women and people with a cervix under 25 years of age.13
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer4
What are some risk factors for cervical cancer?17
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by a persistent infection from certain high risk types of HPV.17 Some other risk factors are:
- Smoking17
- History of HPV-related vulval or vaginal disease17
- Multiple sexual partners 17
- Weakened immune system17
- History of previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs)17
- Non-attendance to cervical screening17
- Early age of sexual debut17
- Not using barrier contraception such as condoms14
Having one or more of these risks factors doesn’t mean that you will develop cervical cancer. If you have any concerns speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Symptoms of cervical cancer18
Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms, and sometimes the symptoms are not obvious which is why cervical screening is so important. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
Vaginal bleeding
For example, between periods, during or after intercourse or after the menopause
Spotting between periods
Irregular blood spotting between periods or after the menopause
Changes to your vaginal discharge
There may be an unpleasant odour
Having these symptoms does not mean you have cervical cancer. They can be caused by many different conditions but you should get them checked by your GP.
As disease advances, more severe symptoms may be:
- Weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite
- Persistent pain in the back, leg or pelvic area
- Vaginal discomfort
- Discharge with an unpleasant odour
- Swelling of the legs
If you have any of these symptoms, please consult with your GP
How is cervical cancer treated?19
Cervical cancer is often treatable if it’s diagnosed early. The treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and your general health, but options usually include:
- Surgery19
- Chemotherapy19
- Radiotherapy19
- https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/causes/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/why-go/what-cervical-screening-is/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/who-should-have-cervical-screening/who-should-have-screening/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/contact/about-cervicalcheck/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/why-go/register/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer (Accessed November 2023)
- de Martel C, Plummer M, Vignat J, Franceschi S. Worldwide burden of cancer attributable to HPV by site, country and HPV type. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(4):664-670. doi:10. 1002/ijc.30716. (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/getting-a-test/what-happens/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colposcopy/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/results/your-results/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/overview/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/index.htm (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer (Accessed November 2023)
- https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/IRL_FS.pdf (Accessed November 2023)
- Cohen, P.A., Jhingran, A., Oaknin, A. and Denny, L. (2019) Cervical cancer. Lancet 393(10167), 169-182 (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/treatment/ (Accessed November 2023)
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IE-NON-00477 | Date of Preparation: January 2025
