What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by a change in the cells that line the wall of the

cervix (the lower part of the womb which connects the uterus to the vagina,

or birth canal). These cells begin as normal, then gradually change to precancerous

cells, which appear as lesions on the cervical wall. The cells

may eventually become cancerous, however in over 50% of women

with pre-cancerous lesions, the cells remain benign (pre-cancerous).

Cervical cancer in its early stages often exhibits no symptoms, which is

why it is frequently not detected until it becomes severe (3).

The most common risk factor for cervical cancer is exposure to certain strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (3). HPV is a

sexually transmitted infection (STI), which may or may not be accompanied by symptoms. Because HPV is often asymptomatic, it can

go for long periods without being detected (4).

Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:

· Not having regular screening.

· Initiation of sexual relations at a young age.

· Having multiple sexual partners, or having sex with someone who has had multiple sexual partners.

· Being HIV positive, which weakens a woman’s immune system and makes her more vulnerable to infection with HPV.

· A family history of cervical cancer

· Age group – women aged 30-60 are most at risk and the risk also increases with age.

· Smoking

· Socio-economic status - because poor women have less access to screening and treatment services, their incidence and mortaliy

rates are much higher.