About cervical cancer
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What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is a part of the female reproductive system, it connects the vagina to the uterus (womb).
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).1
In Australia, the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer has fallen significantly since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991.
Who gets cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer can affect any woman or person with a cervix, who has ever been sexually active at any time in their life.
Australia has one of lowest cervical cancer rates in the world. However, every year, around 800-900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 200-300 will die from the disease.
See more information about incidence and mortality >
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms including:
- unexplained vaginal bleeding for example bleeding after sex or bleeding at any time after menopause
- unexplained persistent vaginal discharge
- unexplained persistent pain during sex.
Do not wait to your next Cervical Screening Test to talk to your doctor.
These are symptoms that need to be investigated. They are not specific to cervical cancer and could be caused by other conditions, which is why you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms including:
- unexplained vaginal bleeding for example bleeding after sex or bleeding at any time after menopause
- unexplained persistent vaginal discharge
- unexplained persistent pain during sex.
Do not wait to your next Cervical Screening Test to talk to your doctor.
These are symptoms that need to be investigated. They are not specific to cervical cancer and could be caused by other conditions, which is why you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
What causes cervical cancer?
Almost all cases of cervical cancers are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.1
In most people, HPV is cleared quickly by the body’s immune system with no harmful effects, but this does not always happen.
Around four out of five people will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives.2,3
In some women, if an HPV infection does not go away it can increase the risk of cell changes developing in the cervix. In rare cases, if not treated, these cell changes can result in cervical cancer.
More than 70% of cervical cancers occur in women who have never been screened or are not up to date with their cervical screening.4
Concerned you might have cervical cancer?
Visit our Patient Information portal to learn about cervical cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and more.
Preventing cervical cancer—what you can do
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Find information below on what are the best prevention methods.
The best methods to help prevent cervical cancer
More than 70% of cervical cancers occurred in women who have never been screened or are not up to date with their cervical screening.4
The Cervical Screening Test is a quick and simple procedure that prevents cervical cancer by looking for HPV.
If HPV is found, the test looks for any abnormal cells that can be monitored or treated to prevent cancer from developing.
There are two ways to have a Cervical Screening Test:
- a doctor or nurse can perform the test
- you can take your own sample, this process is referred to as self-collection,
Smoking makes it hard for the body to clear an HPV infection. HPV infection that does not clear could lead to cell changes and eventually to cervical cancer.
Need help to quit?
Find more information and resources on our website to support you in quitting smoking or visit the iCanQuit website.
The HPV vaccine protects against some but not all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine work best if given before someone is sexually active.
It's free through the schools-based vaccination program for girls and boys aged 12 to 13.
Anyone up to 25 who missed vaccination at school can now catch up for free through their local immunisation provider.
