{"id":104293,"date":"2022-08-23T14:18:55","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T12:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/?p=104293"},"modified":"2023-05-11T10:47:45","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T08:47:45","slug":"what-are-the-symptoms-of-cervical-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-cervical-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cervical cancer refers to a type of cancer that appears anywhere in the cervix \u2013 the neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by some type of human papillomavirus<\/a> (HPV). Cervical cancers develop when cells that make up the lining of the cervix start to grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way. A cervical screening, otherwise known as a smear or \u2018pap\u2019 test, is a common screening method to prevent cervical cancer.<\/p>\n

A cervical screening is not designed to detect definite signs of cervical cancer <\/strong>or diagnose cervical cancer<\/strong>. A cervical screening can detect abnormal cells that show changes that could be precancerous, so they can then be removed so that they never become cancerous.<\/p>\n

In this article, we will explain the symptoms of cervical cancer<\/strong> and how it is diagnosed. Around 3,200 people are diagnosed with this form of cancer<\/a> in the UK each year and, as long as it is caught early, the prognosis is good.<\/p>\n

What is HPV?<\/h2>\n

HPV is among the most common sexually-transmitted infections, with over 200 different types. Most strains are harmless and go away within one to two years. However, there are around 13 high-risk strains of HPV that, if not controlled by your immune system, can lead to cancer. Of the high-risk HPVs, HPV16 and HPV18 are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. These viruses can remain in the body for many years before becoming cancerous.<\/p>\n

The important thing to remember is that having HPV does not mean you have cancer<\/strong>. Indeed, HPV is so common that most sexually-active people will have come into contact with the infection at some point in their lives. However, if an HPV infection persists and worsens, you may not realise due to the absence of symptoms, which may only appear once the infection develops into cancer. That is why awareness and prevention are so important in protecting against HPV-related cancers.<\/p>\n

How does HPV cause cervical cancer?<\/h2>\n

HPV can cause cervical cancer by triggering changes in cells in the cervix. Around 75% of cervical cancer cases develop when HPV infects the cells that line the surface of the cervix, known as squamous cells<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When HPV infects cervical cells, it disrupts cell DNA and changes the way cells communicate with each other, which causes them to multiply uncontrollably<\/a>. As the cells multiply, they will continue to grow to form precursor lesions, called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)<\/a>, which are graded based on their progression (CIN 1, 2 or 3). At this stage, it may take 10 to 30 years<\/a> until the lesions become cancerous, depending on your individual risk.<\/p>\n

Cervical cancer risk factors<\/h2>\n

You have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer if:<\/p>\n