6 ways to cut your cervical cancer risk

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and the seventh most common cancer overall. There were more than 604,000 new cases of cervical cancer in 2020. The encouraging news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and there is a great deal you can do to protect yourself.

In this post I set out six practical steps that lower your risk, and explain the symptoms that mean you should speak to a doctor.

1. Have the HPV vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and it is also linked to vulval and vaginal cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of the virus most likely to cause cancer. By having it, you reduce your risk of developing a gynaecological cancer later in life.

2. Go to every smear test

Always attend your cervical screening appointment when you are invited. A smear test takes around 10 minutes, but its benefits can last a lifetime. Screening looks for HPV and for changes in the cells of the cervix before they ever become cancer. If your result shows abnormal cells, you may be offered a colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix, so that any changes can be treated early.

3. Stop smoking

Smoking damages almost every organ in the body, and it raises your risk of cervical cancer and other gynaecological cancers. Stopping lowers that risk significantly, even if you have smoked for many years. Your GP or pharmacist can help you find support to quit.

4. Make healthy choices

Keeping to a healthy weight, staying active and eating a balanced diet all help to reduce your chances of developing gynaecological cancer, along with many other types of cancer. Small, steady changes are easier to keep up than dramatic ones.

5. Report anything unusual

If you notice something new or different, see your GP or a gynaecologist so that it can be checked. Early-stage cervical cancer rarely causes symptoms, which is why screening matters so much. As it develops, cervical cancer can cause:

• irregular vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between periods or after sex
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain during sex

These symptoms are usually caused by something far less serious than cervical cancer, but they always deserve a proper assessment.

6. Know your family history

Around 5 to 10% of gynaecological cancers are hereditary, meaning a higher risk has been passed down through the family. If close relatives have had a gynaecological cancer, tell your doctor. You can then agree a sensible plan and know which signs to look out for.

Agreeing a cervical cancer screening plan

Everyone should talk with their GP about cervical cancer and the screening schedule that suits them. For people at higher risk of cervical cancer, screening may start earlier and happen more often than for people at average risk. Fortunately, screening tests can detect cervical cancer, and the HPV infection that usually causes it, very early, when treatment is most effective. Remember that most changes found at screening are not cancer, and many settle by themselves. Taking these six steps puts the odds firmly in your favour, and it is never too late to start.

The World Health Organization explains how cervical cancer can be prevented, and Cancer Research UK sets out the known risks and causes of cervical cancer. You can read more about diagnosis and treatment on our cervical cancer page.

This article is intended to inform, not to diagnose or treat, and it does not replace the advice of your own doctor. If you would like to see a specialist about any gynaecological concern, please get in touch to arrange a consultation.