Professional, Cervix, Introduction

Cancer of the cervix^(G) is probably the most preventable of all cancers that occur in women. This cancer grows slowly and goes through a pre-cancerous phase which may last for several years before cancer actually develops. This pre-cancerous phase is best diagnosed by a Pap smear, which is designed to pick up the presence of pre-cancerous cells developing on the cervix.

Rules for classification

Staging of cervical cancer is based on clinical evaluation. The clinical staging must never be changed because of subsequent findings. When there is doubt as to which stage a particular cancer should be allocated, the earliest stage is mandatory.