Know your cervix

The cervix is part of the internal female reproductive system. Often referred to as the neck of the uterus (womb), the cervix is the narrow, lower part of the uterus that connects to the upper part of the vagina. The cervix has various functions including:

• producing moistness to lubricate the vagina
• producing mucus that helps sperm travel up to the fallopian tube to fertilise an egg from an ovary
• holding a developing baby in the uterus during pregnancy
• widening (dilating) during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through the vagina.

Two types of cells cover the cervix. Squamous cells are flat, thin cells found in the lower part of the cervix that opens into the vagina. Glandular cells or columnar cells are column-shaped cells that produce cervical mucus and are found higher up in the cervical canal. The ‘transformation zone’ of the cervix is where cells are constantly changing from glandular to squamous cells.

Sometimes cells in the cervix can change. These early cervical cell changes may be precancerous. This means there is an area of abnormal tissue that is not cancer but may lead to cancer and needs to be monitored. Only some people with precancerous changes of the cervix will develop cervical cancer. Click through to read more about:

Cell changes, also referred to as cervical abnormalities

Diagnostic tests

Cervical cancer begins when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow uncontrollably. It may then spread to other parts of the reproductive system or to other parts of the body.

There are two main types of cervical cancer which are named after the cells they start in:

Squamous cell carcinoma – begins in the squamous cells of the cervix. It accounts for around 80% of all cervical cancer cases.

Adenocarcinoma – begins in the glandular/columnar cells of the cervix. This type is less common and is harder to diagnose as it occurs higher up in the cervix.

A small number of cervical cancers contain both squamous cells and glandular cells. These cancers are known as adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas. Other rarer types of cancer that can start in the cervix include small cell carcinoma and cervical sarcoma.

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Stages of cervical cancer

Treatment of cervical cancer

Is cervical cancer HPV? Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by an infection called the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a group of viruses. It is a common infection with over 200 strains that affect various parts of the body. Approximately 40 strains of HPV which are spread via skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity affect the genital area. 80% of people of all genders will be infected with at least one of these strains of HPV at some point as a normal part of being sexually active. Any contact with the genital area can transmit HPV, including contact with the mouth, throat, and anus.

Most people who contract HPV do not develop cancer. HPV is usually harmless and doesn’t cause symptoms, so most people won’t even know they have it. Most of the time, the virus is cleared quickly by the body’s immune system in a few months. Occasionally low risk strains can cause genital warts to develop. These are growths on the genital area which are not cancer and can be treated.

If the immune system does not clear an HPV infection, high risk strains of HPV can cause normal cells in the lining of the cervix to turn abnormal, which may eventually develop into cervical cancer. It usually takes 10 to 15 years for cervical cancer to develop.

Because the strains of HPV that affect the genitals are transmitted through sexual contact, long term HPV infection can also lead to other cancers including anal cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancers, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers (head, neck, mouth, throat)

Read further about prevention.