Cervical Cancer is the type of cancer that can be found anywhere between the vagina and womb (uterus) known as the cervix. 

The cancer is caused by an infection from a specific type of human papillomavirus (HPV) according to the NHS website. 

Although the HPV vaccine is offered to help protect against cancer, 1% of women and people with a cervix are diagnosed with cancer. 

Now as part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week awareness is being brought on how the disease can be ended. 

It comes as research from charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (Jo's Trust) found that only 20% of health professionals think enough is being done to ensure high levels of HPV vaccine uptake, and just 16% believe that enough is being done to support cervical screening uptake. 

The charity hopes to eliminate cancer using government backing by tackling inequalities in cervical cancer prevention, ensuring the technology and workforce needed, and researching better and more effective ways to prevent cancer.

What are the symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

According to the NHS website, the main symptoms of cervical cancer include: 

  • Vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you, including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after 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

However, if you have other conditions like fibroids or endometriosis you may get these symptoms regularly. 

If you are concerned or worried that you might have some of the symptoms then you should contact your GP.