Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix—the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It develops when abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably.

Most cases are linked to persistent infection with high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted infection.

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly and starts as precancerous changes called dysplasia, which can be detected through regular screening. When caught early, cervical cancer is highly treatable.

Early cervical cancer may not cause obvious symptoms, which is why regular screening is important. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause)
• Unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
• Foul-smelling or watery vaginal discharge, sometimes mixed with blood
• Pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain during urination or frequent urination (in advanced cases)
• Swelling of the legs or lower back pain (when cancer spreads)

Cervical cancer is classified into stages based on its spread:

• Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): Abnormal cells are confined to the surface of the cervix.
• Stage I: Cancer is limited to the cervix.
• Stage II: Cancer has spread beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic wall or lower third of the vagina.
• Stage III: Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall, lower part of the vagina, or nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs such as the bladder, rectum, lungs, or liver.

Depending on the stage, treatment options may include surgery (hysterectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

The leading cause of cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection, but several other factors increase the risk:

• Early onset of sexual activity or multiple sexual partners (increasing HPV exposure)
• Weakened immune system (HIV infection or long-term immunosuppressive therapy)
• Smoking, which doubles the risk of cervical cancer
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives (over 5 years)
• Having many children (multiple full-term pregnancies)
• Poor intimate hygiene and lack of regular screening
• Family history of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with the right measures:

• HPV vaccination: Strongly recommended for girls (and boys) between 9–14 years and up to 26 years of age.
• Regular screening: Pap smear and HPV testing can detect precancerous changes before they turn into cancer.
• Safe sexual practices: Use of barrier protection and limiting sexual partners reduce HPV transmission risk.
• Quit smoking: Smoking weakens cervical cells and increases cancer risk.
• Healthy lifestyle: Balanced diet, exercise, and maintaining immunity strengthen overall defense against cancer.

Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer among women worldwide.

• Each year, more than 600,000 new cases are diagnosed globally.
• In India, cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women, after breast cancer.
• Around 1 in 53 women in India will develop cervical cancer during their lifetime.
• With early detection and treatment, survival rates can be above 90%, but advanced-stage cases have poorer outcomes.