Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix) is the second most common cancer experienced by women world-wide. In Australia every year, around 800 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Half of these women have never had a Pap test.

The cervix is found at the lower part of the uterus, at the top of the vagina.  

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of cervical cancer and can be prevented (80-85 per cent) by regular Pap tests to detect early changes.  The other form of cervical cancer is adenocarcinoma accounting for 12-15 per cent. 

Cancer of the cervix is very rare under the age of 25 years, mostly occurring in the 55-60 year age group.  The progression from high grade changes to cancer takes between 1 and 30 years with an average of 10 years.

Risk Factors 

The risk factors for cancer of cervix are:

• Ever having sexual intercourse
• Smoking
• Wart virus infection (HPV)
• Young age at first sexual intercourse
• Multiple sex partners

What causes cervical cancer? 

Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  HPV is very common in women aged 20-30 and can be sexually transmitted. The virus infects the surface cells of the genital area including the cervix, vagina and vulva and can also cause visible warts. A vaccine is now available to prevent cervical cancer.

How is it detected? 

Cervical cancer, especially in the early stages, is most commonly picked up from a Pap test, but can sometimes be identified by health professionals from a woman's symptoms.  If abnormal or cancerous cells are detected from a Pap test, your doctor will refer you to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist, in particular a gynaecologist who specialises in cancer treatment).  

Does an abnormal Pap test result mean cervical cancer? 

An abnormal result from a Pap test (smear) means there is some change or difference in the cervical cells. Cervical cells turn over rapidly, regenerate and in this process can become abnormal or changed.

There are many reasons for a change or difference including:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Pre-cancerous changes

The abnormal changes have been classified according to the changes seen in the surface cells (squamous cells) of the cervix. Dysplasia is the term that was previously used to define the changes in the cervical squamous cells.

Low grade changes 

Non-specific changes or possible low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are due to minor changes such as inflammation. Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) includes human papilloma virus (HPV) associated changes, (mild dysplasia or CIN1).

HPV is an infection in which the virus infects the surface cells of the genital area including the cervix, vagina and vulva.  It can also cause visible warts.  For most women the virus will clear up by itself. In 60 per cent of women the CIN1 change will resolve spontaneously. Repeat smears are recommended to follow up these changes. HPV is very common in women aged 20-30 and can be sexually transmitted.  Only certain types of HPV cause cancer.

High grade changes 

High grade squamous intraepithelial (HSIL) changes includes moderate to severe dysplasia (CIN 2 + 3).  These changes are precancerous and require appropriate further investigation and treatment, usually colposcopy and removal of the abnormal area on the cervix.  Treatment can prevent further progress to cervical cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer of the cervix.

For more information on Pap Tests see the Pap test article.

Treatment of abnormal Pap tests 

Low grade changes 

Under 30 years - Repeat Pap test in 12 months

Over 30 years - Repeat Pap test in 6 -12 months

High grade changes 

Referral to a gynaecologist for colposcopy and removal of the abnormal changes. A colposcopy is an instrument like a large microscope which magnifies the cells of the cervix to visualise where the abnormality is. The cervix is painted with a solution to identify the abnormal cells. A biopsy from the abnormal area is then taken to confirm the changes. This does not require anaesthetic.

Treatment for high grade lesions 

• Laser therapy
• Electrocoagulation
• Loop excision (LLETZ)

These treatments may be performed as an outpatient or as a day case in hospital. Your doctor will explain these treatments in more detail.

Treatment for cervical cancer 

If diagnosed with cervical cancer you will be referred to gynaecologist who specialises in cancer treatment.

Your treatment will depend on the severity of the cancer.  Treatments may include:

• Surgery to remove the cancer
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy

The cervical cancer vaccine

There are two types of cervical cancer vaccines - Gardasil and Cervarix.

The Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. 

• Types 6 and 11 are known to cause up to 90 per cent of genital warts
• Types 16 and 18 cause around 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases

The Cervarix vaccine protects against types 16 and 18.

Gardasil is approved for use in females aged from nine to 26 and males aged from nine to 15. It is recommended that girls have the vaccine around the ages nine to 12 and is best given before becoming sexually active. This is because the vaccine works best if it is received before being exposed to HPV. 

Cervarix is approved for women aged 27 to 45 years, but is not covered by the Australian Government vaccination program.

How do i get the vaccine? 

During 2007 and 2008 the Gardasil vaccine will be available free at school for all girls aged 12 to 18. From 2009 it will be available free to all Year 7 girls. Women aged 18 to 26 can access the vaccine free from their GP up until June 2009.

Cervarix is available from GPs and costs around $150.00 per dose.  Both vaccines are administered in three separate doses over a period of six months.

Do I still need to have Pap tests if I have had the vaccine? 

Yes.  HPV is one of the most common STIs - four out of five women will be exposed to the virus at some point in their lifetime. Even if you have had the vaccine (either before or after becoming sexually active), it is important that you continue to have regular two-yearly Pap tests as the vaccine only protects against 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

See Pap tests.

Useful Resources

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

For more information about Pap tests contact your GP, health centre, family planning clinic, or ring 13 15 56.
Cervical Screening Australia (http://www.cervicalscreen.health.gov.au/)

ACT Cervical Screening Program
Tel: (02) 6205 1545
Fax: (02) 6205 5035
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.health.act.gov.au/paptest

NSW Cervical Screening Program
Tel: (02) 8374 5757
Fax: (02) 8374 5700
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.csp.nsw.gov.au/

cervicalscreenNT
Tel: (08) 8922 6444
Fax: (08) 8922 6455
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Womens_Health/Well_Womens_Cancer_Screening/index.aspx

QLD Cervical Screening Program
Tel: (07) 3234 1596/ 131 556
Fax: (07) 3225 2629
Web: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cervicalscreening/health_professionals/ncsp.asp

SA Cervix Screening Program
Tel: (08) 8226 8181
Fax: (08) 8226 8190
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.health.sa.gov.au/cervixscreening

Tasmanian Cervical Cancer Prevention Program
Tel: (03) 6216 4300
Fax: (03) 6216 4309
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/health__and__wellbeing/womens_health/related_topics/cervical_cancer_prevention_program

PapScreen Victoria
Tel: (03) 9635 5000
Fax: (03) 9635 5360
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.papscreen.org.au/

WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program
Tel: 1800 800 033 (Toll free in WA)
(08) 9323 6788
Fax: (08) 9323 6711
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/services/cervical_cancer/index.htm

Further Resources

Cancer Council Australia - www.cancer.org.au

Gynaecological Awareness Information Network - www.gain.org.au

Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia - www.shfpa.org.au

Content updated March 03, 2008