Cervical cancer - An Overview

Cervical cancer arises when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when found early at pre-stage and is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap test.

Mostly cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papilloma virus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are different types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.

Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time. An infection may go away on its own. But sometimes it can cause genital lumps or lead to cervical cancer. That's why it's important for women to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.