Risk Factors
1. Sexual intercourse at an early age
2. Previous infection by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
3. Any medical condition or treatment that affects your immune system
    Eg. autoimmune disease, taking long term steroids
4. Having your first child after the age of 30
5. Past diagnosis of pre-cancerous stage (CIN) - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
6. Smoking

Signs & Symptoms
1. Vaginal bleeding in between periods
2. Bleeding after intercourse
3. Postmenopausal bleeding
4. Foul smelling vaginal discharge
5. Non-specific pain in the pelvic area
6. Lower back pain
7. Unexplained tiredness

Pre-cancerous (CIN) stage and Early Cervical Cancer (CIS - carcinoma in-situ) usually have no symptoms. Therefore, it is important for women to have regular Pap smears. All women should go for a Pap smear if they have ever had sex. Pap smears can be done 1 to 3-yearly as advised by the doctor.

These symptoms may be caused by a number of problems and may not indicate the presence of cancer, but if any of the above symptoms persists or is bothering you, do consult your doctor for advice.