Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects women; more specifically, it affects the cervix, which is a part of the reproductive apparatus, localized in the pelvian zone. The cervix is the lower part of the womb, connected to the upper end of the vagina and it has a role in producing mucus that facilitates the flow of seminal liquid produced by man into the uterus, and contracts during pregnancy. The cervix is exposed to both malignant and benign tumors, but whereas benign tumors do not expand in order to affect the tissue around them, the malignant ones (the cancer) do spread in the tissues of other parts of the body. The general cause of cervical cancer is identified as the human papilloma virus (HPV - there are approximately 100 types of this virus, and more than 30 are transmitted sexually). Some infections with HPV do go away, but if they do not clear in time, they can transform in precancerous infections, therefore capable of producing cervical cancer.

Factors that stimulate the apparition of cervical cancer include:

- smoking: a slight increase of the risk of cervical cancer

- avoidance of regular Pap tests: Pap tests help find abnormal cells and determine whether they are dangerous or not, so women who seldom or never make Paptests are more exposed to developing cervical cancer

- reduced capacity of the immune system, originating in HIV or drug consumption, increasing the danger of HPV infection

- frequency and diversity of sexual contacts: women who have frequent sexual contacts and change partners frequently have more chances of contacting a HPV infection, as well as women who have contacts with men that had many sexual partners

- use of birth control pills for a certain period of time: the risk of cervical cancer is slightly increased, but decreases when women stop using them.

- giving birth to many children: five or more children can increase the risk of cancer at women with HPV infections

Aside from benign tumors, other changes that cervical cells may bear (and these changes are perfectly normal) are caused by:

- infections

- hormonal changes that take place during menopause or pregnancy

- inflammations of the cervical area

One characteristic of cervical cancer is that it cannot be detected at women during its early stages. Symptoms appear when the cancer has evolved, and they include:

- unusual vaginal bleeding, for example between normal menstruation periods or prolonged and heavier menstrual bleedings, or after having sexual intercourse, or after menopause

- unpleasant sensations such as pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse

The Pap exam, a non-painful method through which a group of cells are scraped from the cervix and then analyzed, is the main method of detecting potential cervical cancer and doctors recommend frequent Pap tests.

Other methods include: colposcopy (a colposcope consisting of a lens and a light is used to visualize the cervix tissue, without being introduced in the vagina) and bioscopy (harvesting and analyzing tissue from the cervix).