Cancer of the cervix – the neck of the womb – is one of the most common cancers affecting women throughout the world. It is caused in most cases by changes provoked in cervical cells by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), exchanged between sexual partners during intercourse (see also HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IMMUNISATION). The abnormal changes occurring in the cells on the surface of the cervix are pre-cancerous and can be detected by microscopic examination of cells obtained from a CERVICAL SMEAR. This is the basis of cervical screening programmes.

Early signs of the condition, referred to in the past as carcinoma-in-situ but more accurately termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) can be cured by diathermy, laser treatment, electrocoagulation or cryo-surgery. The cure rate is 85–90% per cent if treated in the very early precancerous stages, recurrence being a risk if the entire lesion has not been removed so some HPV remains within the remaining tissue or if the woman becomes reinfected. If the disease has spread into the body of the cervix or beyond, more extensive surgery and possibly radiotherapy may be needed. Around 3,200 patients are diagnosed as having cervical cancer every year in the United Kingdom, more than half aged under 45 and around 900 die from it. The incidence has fallen by 44% in the last 40 years. The sexual behaviour of a woman and her male partners influences the incidence of this cancer; the earlier a woman has sexual intercourse, and the more partners she has, the greater is the risk of developing the disease. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IMMUNISATION is offered in many countries in late childhood with the vaccine needing to be given to girls before they become sexually active. It remains a subject of debate as to whether or not to immunise boys, the major argument against being financial.)