Around 50% of cases of cervical cancer occur in women under the age of 45 years, with incidence rates for cervical cancer in the UK are highest in people aged 25-29 years, according to Cancer Research UK. It may be divided into:

• squamous cell cancer (80%)
• adenocarcinoma (20%)

Features

• may be detected during routine cervical cancer screening
• abnormal vaginal bleeding: postcoital, intermenstrual or postmenopausal bleeding
• vaginal discharge

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

, particularly serotypes 16,18 & 33 is by far the most important factor in the development of cervical cancer. Other risk factors include:

• smoking
• human immunodeficiency virus
• early first intercourse, many sexual partners
• high parity
• lower socioeconomic status
• combined oral contraceptive pill*

Mechanism of HPV causing cervical cancer

• HPV 16 & 18 produces the oncogenes E6 and E7 genes respectively
• E6 inhibits the p53 tumour suppressor gene
• E7 inhibits RB suppressor gene
• the strength of this association is sometimes debated but a large study published in the Lancet (2007 Nov 10;370(9599):1609-21) confirmed the link