The LOC - A Basic Guide to Cancer by The LOC - HTML preview

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumour originating in the cervix. Most forms of this cancer arise in the cells that line the cervix, although it can also arise from glandular cells as well as other types of cell.

In the UK, each year more than 2,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, with the highest incidence rate occurring between the ages of 30 and 39. Cervical cancer can take many years to develop with abnormal pre-cancerous cells developing first usually. This is why cervical screening is such an important medical check.

There are a few risk factors associated with the cause of cervical cancer. These include a predisposition to pre-cancerous cells (cervical intrapepithelial neoplasia (CIN)), smoking, a weakened immune system (which can also be caused by smoking, poor diet and infections such as HIV/AIDS), and long term use (10 years +) of the contraceptive pill.

Amongst the most common signs of cervical cancer are: abnormal vaginal bleeding (for example between periods, after sex or after the menopause), vaginal discharge, and discomfort during sex.

However in some cases there are no symptoms, making it much harder to detect until the cancer is more advanced.

Private cervical cancer treatments are available at the LOC, where each case is considered

individually in order to provide the best course of treatment. There are also cervical cancer specialists in this field at the LOC, who carry out important and innovative cervical cancer research. We also help patients through the process with the help of cancer therapy too.