What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the uterine cervix. The body of the uterus (the upper part) is where a fetus grows.

The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix).

The 2 main types of cells covering the cervix are squamous cells (on the exocervix) and glandular cells (on the endocervix). The place these 2 cell types meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers start in the transformation zone.

Download this PDF guide to find out more about what this cancer is, what it does and what you can do if you have it, or to prevent it. The PDF will discuss:

Importance of cervical cancer screening

What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

Human papilloma virus infection

Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer

Things to do to prevent pre-cancers and cancers

Find out more bout testing for cervical cancer
Learn more about cervical cancer.
Source: Mount Sinai Medical Center