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Cancer of the cervix

Cancer of the neck of the womb (cervix) is second only to breast cancer in the number of occurrences in women under 35 years old.

Cancer of the cervix may take many years to develop. Before it does so, the cells in the cervix may show changes known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). This may also be referred to as dyskariosis, or having precancerous cells. However, although CIN can develop into cervical cancer if not treated, the majority of women with CIN do not develop the disease.

Around 1000 women die each year in Britain from cancer of the cervix (1). Some forms of the disease are becoming more common. Cervical cancer can be prevented, because it can be detected in the early stages through screening programmes.