Each year, about 2800 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

There are two main types of cervical cancer. The most common is called squamous cell carcinoma: this develops from the flat cells which cover the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina.

The other type is called adenocarcinoma: this type develops from the glandular cells which line the cervical canal (endocervix). As adenocarcinoma starts in the cervical canal it can be more difficult to detect with cervical screening tests.

There are other, less common types of cancer of the cervix known as adenosquamous carcinoma, clear-cell and small-cell carcinomas. Cancerbackup nurses can give you more information about these types of cervical cancer.

The tests listed in the previous section will show which type of cervical cancer you have. They also give other important information, such as the grade of the cancer and whether there are signs of cancer cells in the lymph or blood vessels. This information, as well as your physical examination and the results of further tests, will help your doctors to know which is the best type of treatment for you.