Cervical cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus).

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papilomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly. How serious it is depends on how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

England, Wales and Scotland are using HPV primary screening. HPV primary screening tests the cervical cells for the HPV virus first. The laboratory will look to see if you have high risk HPV.

It can often be prevented by attending cervical screening, which aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

• vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
• changes to your vaginal discharge
• pain during sex
• pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy

If you have another condition like fibroids or endometriosis, you may get symptoms like these regularly. You might find you get used to them. But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.

See a GP if you have any symptoms of Cervical Cancer.

Try not to be embarrassed – the doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.

The GP may ask to examine you and you can ask for a female doctor when you book your appointment.

You'll be asked to undress from the waist down, behind a screen. You'll be given a sheet to put over you.

Then the GP may:

• look at the outside of your vagina (vulva)
• feel inside your vagina with 2 fingers while pressing on your tummy (they will be wearing gloves)
• gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina so they can see your cervix
• take a small sample of cells from your cervix using a soft brush - this is commonly known as the smear test

It should not be painful, but you may find it uncomfortable. Talk to the GP if you're feeling uncomfortable.

You can have a friend, family member or other member of staff in the room with you during your exam if you want.

If you do have high risk HPV, the laboratory will test your sample for cell changes. If there are cell changes you will be invited for a colposcopy to have a closer look at your cervix. If there are no cell changes you will be invited back for cervical screening in 1 year.

During a colposcopy the following additional tests will likely be performed:

1. A microscope with a light at the end is used to look at your cervix. The microscope stays outside your body.
2. The nurse or doctor will usually put a liquid on your cervix to show any abnormal areas.
3. A small sample of cells (biopsy) may be collected to send to a laboratory.

The test should take around 15 to 30 minutes.

A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond. This will include a clinical nurse specialist, who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment. You can ask them any questions you have.

If you've been told you have cervical cancer, you'll usually need more tests.

These, along with the colposcopy, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it's spread (called the stage).

You may need:

• blood tests
• scans, like a CT Scan, MRI Scan, PET Scan or chest X-Ray
• an internal examination of your vagina and cervix – you'll have a general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep during the examination

You may not have all these tests.

The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.

For additional information regarding Cervical Screening, please see the below links:

Further Information: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/

Futher Information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

How The Test Is Performed (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU7fZb_sTus