Cervical cancer
Cancer of the cervix, largely caused by HPV.
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the narrow lower section of the uterus. It results from cells growing abnormally and potentially invading or spreading elsewhere in the body. In its early stages, there are usually no noticeable signs. Later, symptoms can include unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic discomfort, or pain during sex. While bleeding after intercourse may have other causes, it can also point to cervical cancer.
Over 99% of cases are tied to infection with genital human papillomavirus (HPV), though most people with HPV never develop the disease. Risk increases for those who smoke, have a weakened immune system, use birth control, began sexual activity at a young age, or have had multiple sexual partners. Cervical cancer typically evolves from precancerous changes over a span of 10 to 20 years. About 75% of cases are squamous cell carcinomas, and 20–25% are adenocarcinomas. Diagnosis usually involves cervical screening followed by a biopsy, with medical imaging used to check if the cancer has spread beyond the cervix.
The most cost-effective public health strategy against cervical cancer is HPV vaccination. These vaccines target two to seven high-risk HPV strains and can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers. By the end of 2024, 147 countries included the HPV vaccine in their national immunization schedules for girls, and as of 2022, 47 countries also offered it to boys. Since the vaccines don’t prevent all cervical cancers, regular screening is still recommended. Screening can detect precancerous changes, which can be treated to stop cancer from developing. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. In the United States, the five-year survival rate is 69%, though outcomes depend heavily on how early the cancer is caught.
Globally, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women, with over 660,000 new cases and roughly 350,000 deaths in 2022—about 8% of all cancer cases and deaths. Nearly 90% of cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where it accounts for 17% of all female cancers, compared to just 2% in high-income nations. In developed countries, widespread cervical screening programs have sharply reduced rates. In medical research, the famous immortalized HeLa cell line was derived from cervical cancer cells take
- type
- Cancer
- common_causes
- HPV infection (99% of cases), smoking, weakened immune system, long-term oral contraceptive use, multiple pregnancies
- common_symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge
- prevention
- HPV vaccination, cervical screening
- treatment
- Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy
- five_year_survival_rate_US
- 69%
- global_rank
- Fourth-most common cancer and fourth-most common cause of cancer death in women
Lore & Background
Cervical cancer typically develops from precancerous changes over 10 to 20 years. About 75% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, 20–25% are adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis is typically by cervical screening followed by a biopsy. Medical imaging is then done to determine whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the cervix. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen; later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse. In advanced disease, metastases may be present in the abdomen, lungs, or elsewhere.
Reader's Guide
Cervical cancer is a significant global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where almost 90% of cases and deaths occur. It makes up 17% of overall cancer cases in women in these countries, compared to 2% in high-income countries. HPV vaccination is the most cost-effective public health measure against cervical cancer; vaccines protect against two to seven high-risk strains and may prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers. By the end of 2024, 147 countries provided the HPV vaccine in their national immunization schedule for girls. Cervical screening allows for the detection of pre-cancer, which can be treated to prevent the development of cancer. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer. The WHO launched the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in 2020, with a resolution passed by 194 countries.
Did You Know?
- Almost all cases (99%) of cervical cancer are linked to genital human papillomavirus infection (HPV).
- HPV types 16 and 18 are the cause of 75% of cervical cancer cases globally.
- The most famous immortalized cell line, HeLa, was developed from cervical cancer cells of a woman named Henrietta Lacks.
- 17 November is the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action.
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