Kanser serviks (cervical cancer) is cancer of the cervix, the opening of the womb, and nearly all cases are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of HPV (human papillomavirus). Warning signs include unusual vaginal bleeding (after sex, between periods or after the menopause), changes in vaginal discharge, pain during sex and pain in the lower back or pelvis. In Malaysia it is the sixth most common cancer among women, and about 47% of cases are found at stage 3 or 4. It is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening (a Pap smear or HPV test), and it can be cured if found and treated early.
What is kanser serviks (cervical cancer)?
Kanser serviks is the Malay term for cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower part of the womb (uterus), which opens into the vagina.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with cancer-causing types of HPV. Almost all sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point, usually without symptoms, and in most cases the body clears the virus naturally. When certain high-risk types of HPV stay in the body, they can cause abnormal cells that may develop into cancer. This usually takes many years, which is why screening can find and treat changes before cancer develops.
For details of screening, see our guide to Pap smears and HPV tests in Malaysia.
How common is cervical cancer in Malaysia?
- According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry report for 2017-2021, the cervical cancer rate has fallen steadily, from 7.6 per 100,000 women in 2007-2011 to 6.2 in 2012-2016 and 6.0 in 2017-2021.
- Pap smear screening coverage among women aged 30 to 65 rose from 23.1% in 2019 to 43.2% in 2023, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey.
- Cervical cancer is still the sixth most common cancer among women in Malaysia, and about 47% of cases are detected at stage 3 or 4, according to a 2026 report in The Star quoting the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
- The Ministry of Health's Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Malaysia 2021-2030 defines elimination as fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women.
Worldwide, the WHO estimates around 604,000 new cases and 280,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2024.
Tanda tanda kanser serviks: what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS, symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you, including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or heavier periods than usual;
- changes to your vaginal discharge (see our guide to keputihan);
- pain during sex;
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy.
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many other conditions, such as fibroids. Having them does not mean you have cervical cancer, but they should be checked by a doctor, because if they are caused by cancer, finding it early means treatment is more likely to work. If you already have a condition that causes similar symptoms, see a doctor if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.
Bleeding after the menopause should be checked by a doctor; see our guide to menopause.
Punca kanser serviks: what causes it, and who is at risk?
According to the NHS, nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infection with certain high-risk types of HPV. You can get HPV from:
- any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area;
- vaginal, anal or oral sex;
- sharing sex toys.
Some other types of HPV cause genital warts; see our guide to ketuat. You might also be more likely to get cervical cancer if you:
- have a weakened immune system, for example from HIV (the WHO says women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer);
- have given birth to many children, or had children at an early age (under 17);
- smoke;
- have taken the contraceptive pill for more than 5 years (this only slightly increases the risk, and for many people the benefits outweigh it);
- have had vaginal, vulval, kidney or bladder cancer before.
You cannot get cervical cancer if you have had surgery to remove your womb and cervix (a total hysterectomy).
How can you prevent cervical cancer?
According to the WHO, cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
1. HPV vaccination. The vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause around 76% of cervical cancers, according to the WHO. It works best when given to girls aged 9 to 14, before they become sexually active.
| Malaysia's HPV programme | Details |
|---|---|
| Started | 2010, school-based, for girls |
| Coverage | More than 90% of the target population from 2010 to 2024, according to the Ministry of Health |
| Doses | Now a single dose, following WHO's 2022 recommendation |
| Who is vaccinated from 2026 | Girls in Year 6 at primary school |
| Missed it? | Girls in private schools, home-schooled girls and those who missed school vaccination can book at a health clinic through MySejahtera |
If you are an adult and were not vaccinated, ask your doctor whether the vaccine is suitable for you.
2. Screening. A Pap smear or HPV test finds cell changes before they become cancer. In Malaysia, Pap smears are free at government health facilities, and the Ministry of Health also offers HPV self-sampling kits. Read our guide to Pap smears and HPV tests to see which test you need and how often.
3. Other steps. According to the NHS, using condoms lowers your chance of getting HPV (although they do not cover all the skin around the genitals), and quitting smoking helps, because smoking weakens the immune system and chemicals in cigarettes can cause cervical cancer.
What happens when you see a doctor?
Try not to feel embarrassed; doctors and nurses are used to talking about these symptoms. According to the NHS, you can ask for a female doctor and have a friend, family member or staff member in the room. The doctor may:
- look at the outside of your vagina;
- feel inside your vagina with 2 gloved fingers while pressing on your tummy;
- gently insert a speculum to look at your cervix;
- take a swab.
It should not be painful, and you can ask the doctor to stop at any time. If the doctor thinks your symptoms could be cancer, you may be referred urgently for more tests, such as a closer look at the cervix (colposcopy). A referral does not mean you definitely have cancer.
How is cervical cancer treated?
According to the NHS, cervical cancer is often treatable. Treatment depends on the size and type of the cancer, where it is, whether it has spread and your general health. Your care team will also talk to you about the effect of treatment on your fertility.
| Treatment | When it is used |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Often the main treatment, especially if the cancer is found early. Depending on the cancer, it may remove part of the cervix, the cervix only (so pregnancy may still be possible), or the cervix and womb (hysterectomy). |
| Chemotherapy with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) | As the main treatment, or after surgery to help stop the cancer coming back |
| Radiotherapy | As the main treatment if the cancer is large or has spread, or to ease symptoms such as bleeding; it can be given from outside the body or inside it (brachytherapy) |
| Targeted medicines and immunotherapy | For advanced cancer or cancer that has come back, to shrink it or stop it growing |
According to the WHO, cervical cancer can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. This is why screening and seeing a doctor early about symptoms matter. For another cancer that affects women, see our guide to kanser payudara.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What are the signs of kanser serviks (cervical cancer)?
According to the NHS, symptoms include vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you (during or after sex, between periods, after the menopause, or heavier periods than usual), changes to your vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and pain in your lower back, pelvis or lower tummy. These symptoms are common and are often caused by other conditions, but they should be checked by a doctor.
What causes cervical cancer?
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common and is spread through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area and sex. Most infections clear on their own; cancer can develop when an infection does not clear.
How common is cervical cancer in Malaysia?
Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Its rate has fallen from 7.6 per 100,000 women in 2007-2011 to 6.0 in 2017-2021, according to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry, but about 47% of cases are still found at stage 3 or 4.
Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Largely, yes. The World Health Organization says cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening. In Malaysia, girls are offered a free HPV vaccine through the national immunisation programme, and women can have free Pap smears or HPV tests at government health facilities.
Who can get the HPV vaccine in Malaysia?
Malaysia's school-based HPV programme has vaccinated girls since 2010 and now uses a single dose. From 2026 the programme vaccinates girls in Year 6 at primary school, and girls who missed it can book an appointment at a health clinic through MySejahtera. Ask your doctor if you are older and want to be vaccinated.
Can cervical cancer be cured?
According to the WHO, cervical cancer can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the size of the cancer, whether it has spread and your general health.
If I have symptoms, should I wait for my next Pap smear?
No. Screening is for women without symptoms. If you have unusual bleeding, discharge changes or pelvic pain, see a doctor now rather than waiting for your next screening. You can ask for a female doctor.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Symptoms of cervical cancer — NHS
- Causes of cervical cancer — NHS
- Treatment for cervical cancer — NHS
- Cervical cancer (fact sheet) — World Health Organization
- Publication of the summary of the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017-2021 — Ministry of Health Malaysia (via Bernama)
- Casting out cervical cancer (11 January 2026) — The Star
