Cervical cancer involves changes to the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb), which protrudes into the vagina.The cervix is sometimes called the neck of the womb.
It is rare for women to have any signs or symptoms of cervical cancer early in the disease. When the disease is more advanced women can experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain.
Regular Pap smears are important because more than 90% of the most common form of cervical cancer can be prevented through regular Pap smears (cervical screening).
Cervical Cancer is one of the most preventable cancers as the Pap smear can detect changes in cervical cells before cancer develops.
In 2006 there were 186 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Queensland and 60 women died from the disease. Cervical cancer is the 19th most common cause of cancer death in Australian women (2006).
Deaths from cervical cancer have decreased since the commencement of the National Cervical Screening Program. In 1991, at the start of the screening program, the mortality rate was 4.0 women per 100,000 women (both for women in the target age group 20-69 years and for women in all ages). In 2005, the mortality rate for cervical cancer was 2.0 per 100,000 women for women in the target age group 20-69 years and 1.9 per 100,000 women for women of all ages.
For further information: Cancer in Queensland Incidence and Mortality 1982-2006
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