🎧 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Cervical Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis & High-Yield MSRA Revision

Ready to tackle one of the most essential gynaecology topics for the MSRA? This episode walks you through cervical cancer: what it is, who it affects, why screening matters, and how to remember the key facts. Ideal for rapid, memorable revision!

📝 Key Learning Points

📌 Definition & Epidemiology
• Cervical cancer = malignancy of the cervix (lower uterus)
• UK: 14th most common female cancer (c. 3,200 cases/year)
• Globally: 4th most common – huge impact where screening is limited
• 75% of UK cases diagnosed at early stage (I or II)
• >50% cases under age 45; peak: 30–34 years

📌 Causes & Risk Factors
• Persistent high-risk HPV infection – especially types 16 & 18 (cause ~70% cases)
• Other risks:
 – Smoking
 – Immunosuppression (HIV, transplant)
 – Early sexual activity, multiple partners
 – Long-term oral contraceptive use
 – Not attending screening

💡 Mnemonic for revision: “S-I-S-S-O-N” – Smoking, Immunosuppression, Sexual history, Screening (missed), OCP, Non-attendance

📌 Pathophysiology
• Begins as precancerous changes (CIN 1/2/3)
• Invasive cancer = abnormal cells break through basement membrane
• Main types: squamous cell (~70–80%), adenocarcinoma (~15–20%)

📌 Clinical Features
• Often asymptomatic (caught via screening)
• Symptoms:
 – Abnormal vaginal bleeding (postcoital, intermenstrual, postmenopausal)
 – Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain
 – Advanced: weight loss, leg swelling, urinary/bowel symptoms

📌 Screening & Diagnosis
• UK NHS Cervical Screening:
 – Ages 25–49: every 3 years; 50–64: every 5 years
 – Primary HPV testing first → cytology if positive
 – Abnormal results: referral to colposcopy + biopsy
• Imaging (CT/MRI) for staging
• HPV vaccination (types 16, 18, 6, 11) is highly effective prevention

📌 Management
• Depends on stage:
 – Early (IA1): cone biopsy or simple hysterectomy
 – Locally advanced: radical hysterectomy ± lymph nodes, chemoradiation
 – Advanced: palliative chemo/radiotherapy
• Fertility-sparing (radical trachelectomy) possible in select early cases
• No routine smear follow-up after cancer treatment; return to screening after 5 years if no recurrence

📌 Prognosis & Complications
• Prognosis best if caught early:
 – Stage IA1: 100% 5-year survival
 – IB2/IIB: 50–70%
 – III: 30–50%
 – IV: 5–15%
• Complications: recurrence, local invasion, metastases, treatment effects (infertility, bladder/bowel issues)

📎 More Cervical Cancer Revision Resources:
📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cervical-cancer-revision-notes/
🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cervical-cancer-flashcards/
💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cervical-cancer-accordion-qa-notes/
🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cervical-cancer-rapid-quiz/
🧪 Quiz Bank: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/cervical-cancer/
🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/obstetrics-and-gynaecology-for-the-msra/

#MSRA #CervicalCancer #MSRARevision #HPV #CervicalScreening #PassTheMSRA #ObstetricsAndGynaecology