One hundred and ninety-one women aged 35 years and under presented to the Royal Marsden Hospital during the 15-year period 1970-1984, with invasive carcinoma of the cervix, out of a total of 1799 cases registered (10.6%). From retrospective case record analysis of these young cases, it was found that 32 (17%) presented as a result of screening, but early stage disease predominated: Stage IB, 123 (64%); Stage II, 44 (23%) and Stage III and IV, 24 (13%). The overall 5-year survival was 64%; Stage IB 71%, Stage II 59%, Stage III and IV 32%. Adverse prognostic factors observed were: stage and bulk of the primary tumour, the presence of lymph node metastases demonstrated by lymphography and grade of histological differentiation. Changes in treatment policy should not be based on age alone. A national database for young cases of invasive carcinoma of the cervix is proposed.