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Understand

Cervical cancer

It is one of the few cancers we know how to prevent almost entirely. HPV vaccination and regular screening make it possible to act years before the disease takes hold.
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Key figures

A common cancer, but a preventable one: most deaths could be avoided through prevention.
most common cancer in women worldwide
4th
new cases worldwide in 2022
≈ 660,000
of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection
≈ 95%
of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
94%

Global WHO and IARC estimates for 2022.

HPV, the cause of almost all cervical cancers

The cervix is the lower part of the womb (uterus), which opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer develops when cells in this area change and multiply abnormally.

In the vast majority of cases, these changes are caused by a persistent infection with certain human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV is passed on during sexual contact, including simple skin-to-skin contact. It is a very common infection: most sexually active people are exposed to it at some point in their lives, often without knowing it.

The good news: in most cases, the body clears the virus on its own, without any symptoms. Only when an infection with a “high-risk” HPV persists for years can it lead to precancerous lesions, and then to cancer.

A slow process… which leaves time to act

  1. HPV infection

    Very common and usually without signs. In most cases it clears on its own.

  2. Persistent infection

    In some women, a high-risk HPV remains and changes the cells of the cervix.

  3. Precancerous lesions

    These are not cancer yet. Screening finds them so they can be treated simply.

  4. Cancer

    Without treatment, lesions can turn into cancer, usually over 15 to 20 years.

In women whose immune system is weakened, particularly with untreated HIV, this process may take only 5 to 10 years.

What increases the risk

Persistent infection with a high-risk HPV is the main cause. Some factors make it more likely to persist or to progress to cancer:

  • A weakened immune system

    Women living with HIV have a much higher risk (about six times higher, according to the WHO). Closer follow-up and more frequent screening are recommended for them.

  • Tobacco

    Smoking increases the risk that the infection progresses to cancer.

  • Other sexually transmitted infections

    Other infections, such as chlamydia or genital herpes, can encourage lesions to progress.

  • Many or early pregnancies

    A high number of births and a first pregnancy at a young age are among the associated factors.

  • Never being screened

    Never having been screened means missing the chance to treat lesions before they become cancer.

Warning signs

In its early stages, cervical cancer usually causes no symptoms at all. That is why screening matters so much, even when you feel healthy. At a more advanced stage, you may notice:
  • unusual vaginal bleeding: between periods, after sex or after the menopause;
  • vaginal discharge that is heavier, unusual or foul-smelling;
  • persistent pain in the lower back, pelvis or legs;
  • swollen legs;
  • severe tiredness, or unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite.

One of these signs? See someone without delay.

These signs can have many other causes, often harmless. But only a health professional can tell: talk to a doctor, a midwife or a health centre promptly.

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Protecting yourself: vaccinate, screen, treat

The WHO recommends a three-part strategy. Together, these steps can prevent the vast majority of cervical cancers.

  1. 1. Vaccinate

    HPV vaccination

    • It is aimed first at girls aged 9 to 14, ideally before they become sexually active, when the vaccine works best.
    • The WHO considers one or two doses to be enough for this age group; the schedule followed is that of the national programme.
    • HPV vaccines are safe and effective: their safety has been closely monitored since they were first introduced.
    • Ask your health centre about current vaccination campaigns.

  2. 2. Screen

    Regular screening

    • The WHO recommends starting screening at age 30, then repeating it regularly (every 5 to 10 years with an HPV test).
    • For women living with HIV: from age 25, and more often (every 3 to 5 years).
    • The HPV test is the preferred method. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is widely used in West Africa, depending on the services available.
    • Even a vaccinated woman should be screened when the time comes.

  3. 3. Treat

    Treating precancerous lesions

    • A precancerous lesion is not cancer: it can usually be treated simply, for example by destroying the abnormal area with cold (cryotherapy) or heat (thermal ablation).
    • Depending on how the centre is organised, treatment may be offered on the same day as screening: this is the “screen and treat” approach.
    • Follow-up is then arranged to check that everything is back to normal.

Everyday steps also help

  • Do not smoke, or stop smoking.
  • Use condoms: they reduce the risk of HPV transmission, without removing it completely.
  • Know your HIV status and, if needed, keep up with your treatment.

Screening methods

Several tests can find lesions before they become cancer. The one you are offered depends on the services available at your health centre.

  • HPV test

    What happens
    A sample taken from the cervix (sometimes a vaginal self-sample) is tested for high-risk HPV.
    Result
    After laboratory analysis, or faster with some tests.
    Good to know
    The method preferred by the WHO. If the test is negative, the interval before the next screening is long.

  • VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid)

    What happens
    The health worker applies diluted vinegar to the cervix and looks, with the naked eye, for areas that turn white.
    Result
    Immediate: you leave with the answer.
    Good to know
    Simple and inexpensive, it allows screening and treatment in the same visit, depending on the services available.

  • Pap smear (cytology)

    What happens
    Cells are taken from the cervix with a small brush and examined under a microscope.
    Result
    After laboratory analysis.
    Good to know
    The traditional method, which needs a laboratory and a second appointment for the results.

In every case, the examination takes only a few minutes. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but it is not usually painful.

A global goal: eliminating cervical cancer

In 2020, the WHO launched a global strategy to make cervical cancer a public health problem of the past. It sets three targets to reach by 2030:
of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15
90%
of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35, and again by 45
70%
of women with lesions or cancer receiving treatment
90%

Frequently asked questions

I have no symptoms: should I still get screened?

Yes, that is exactly the point. Screening finds lesions that do not yet cause any signs. Waiting for symptoms often means waiting too long.

Does the HPV vaccine cause infertility?

No. No scientific evidence shows that the HPV vaccine affects fertility. It is used in a great many countries and its safety is continuously monitored. On the other hand, cervical cancer and some of its treatments can put a future pregnancy at risk.

My daughter has been vaccinated: will she need screening later?

Yes. The vaccine protects against the most dangerous types of HPV, but not all of them. Screening is still recommended from the age advised by health workers.

Does the examination hurt?

The examination takes a few minutes. Inserting the speculum can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is not usually painful. You can ask to be examined by a woman and to have someone with you.

Does having HPV mean having cancer?

No. HPV infection is very common and usually clears on its own. A positive HPV test means that follow-up or a further examination is needed, not that you have cancer.

Should I keep being screened after the menopause?

Screening is still useful after 50, depending on your previous results. Ask the health worker how long to continue. Any bleeding after the menopause should be checked promptly.

Can cervical cancer be cured?

Yes, especially when it is found early. And at the precancerous stage, lesions can be treated simply, before any cancer appears.

Screening takes a few minutes and brings years of peace of mind

Take the first step, for yourself and for the women you love. Our team can direct you to a centre.
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Sources

The information on this page is based on publications by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

  1. World Health Organization — Cervical cancer, fact sheet (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
  2. WHO — Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper (2022 update) (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
  3. WHO — Guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention, 2nd edition (2021) (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
  4. WHO — Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
  5. International Agency for Research on Cancer — Global Cancer Observatory, GLOBOCAN 2022 (opens in a new tab) — CIRC / IARC

Content reviewed on 3 October 2026