Cervical Cancer

[Oyedokun Barakat Oyetomilola]

Where and what the cervix is

The cervix is another name for the neck of the womb. The womb and cervix are part of a woman's reproductive system, which is made up of the

- Vagina
- Womb, including the cervix
- Ovaries
There are two ovaries, one on each side of the body. The ovaries produce an egg each month in fertile women. Women are fertile between puberty (when periods start) and the menopause (or change of life, when the periods stop). Each ovary is connected to the womb by a tube called the Fallopian tube. The diagram below shows the position of the ovaries in the body.

In the middle of each menstrual cycle (mid way between periods), an egg travels down one of the Fallopian tubes and into the womb. The lining of the womb gets thicker and thicker, ready to receive the fertilised egg. If this egg is not fertilised by a man's sperm, the thickened lining of the womb is shed, as a period. Then the whole cycle begins again.

The cervix is the opening to the womb from the vagina. It is really a strong muscle. Normally it is quite tightly shut, with only a small opening to let sperm in and the flow from a period out of the womb. During labour, the cervix opens up to let the baby out.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

The most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina at other times than when you are having a period. You may have bleeding

Between periods
After or during sex
At any time if you are past your menopause
Some women also have

A vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
Discomfort or pain during sex
Doctors call pain related to sex 'dyspareunia'. There are many other conditions that cause these symptoms. Most of them are much more common than cervical cancer. But you should go to your doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms. You probably don't have cancer. But if you do, the sooner you are treated, the more likely you are to be cured and usually the less treatment you will need to have.

Pre-cancerous cell changes do not usually have any symptoms. Which is why it is so important to have a regular smear test.