Cervical cancer cells dividing. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two cervical cancer cells forming by cell division. The cells of a cancer typically divide rapidly in a chaotic and uncontrolled manner. The irregular surface of the cells is also characteristic of cancer cells, and allows the cells to move, and causes changes in the adhesion properties of the cells. Cancer cells also clump and form tumours which can invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Cancer of the cervix (the neck of the uterus) is one of the most common cancers affecting women and can be fatal.