Cervical cancer consists in normal cells in the cervix beginning to grow and divide out of control. This can eventually lead to the formation of a mass called a tumor that can start to spread to surrounding tissue and other parts of the body. Cervical cancer is a very common type of cancer in women but its incidence has significantly been reduced by the increasing use of regular Pap screenings by more and more women. This screening can detect precancerous lesions, HPV infections or early stages of cervical cancer if done on a regular basis. These stages of the cancer are all 100% curable.

Cervical cancer is most commonly linked to HPV infections. This is a sexually transmitted virus that is found in 90% of cervical cancer patients. Most people call it a cause for cervical cancer though it is only a risk factor. HPV is also not transmitted only by sexual intercourse but also through any kind of sexual contact, even anal sex or oral sex. So you might say you can get cervical cancer from sex though it wouldn't be accurate or recommended. You shouldn't necessarily say sex leads to cervical cancer as another myth could be created around cervical cancer and increase the level of stigmatization of contacting HPV or developing cervical cancer. Since multiple sex partners is also a well known rick factor for cervical cancer many women, especially young women already are likely to feel ashamed about their conditions, sometimes even too ashamed to admit to their parents and close ones that they have HPV. This is very dangerous and we all should make sure that no woman suffering from cervical cancer feels ashamed and excluded.



Cervical cancer can actually occur also in women that have never had sex in their lives. There are many other risk factor that can expose women to developing breast cancer. These can weigh a lot in the occurence of the disease though not as much as HPV infections. These risk factors include: smoking, a weakened immune system, HPV infections, multiple sex partners, unprotected sexual intercourse, using birth control pills for a long time, multiple pregnancies, lack of Pap screenings and your mother being given diethylstilbestrol while she waas pregnant with you.



No matter the cause, regular Pap screenings are vital and if the results are positive for cancerous cells you should immediate start a treatment and approach the disease with confidence and without feeling ashamed. After all, health is more important than if people judge you. Fortunately, women are  wearing more and more cervical cancer awareness accessories and survivors even take great pride in having overcome the disease. The idea that cervical cancer is an indicator of promiscuity is an example of how harmful prejudice can be.