Cervical cancer happens when cells change in a woman?s cervix, which connects her uterus with her vagina. This cancer can affect the deeper tissues of her cervix and may spread to other parts of her body (metastasize), often the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum.
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is preventable with a vaccine.
Cervical cancer grows slowly, so there?s usually time to find and treat it before it causes serious problems. It kills fewer and fewer women each year, thanks to improved screening through Pap tests.
Women 35 to 44 years old are most likely to get it. More than 15% of new cases are in women over age 65, however, especially those who haven?t been getting regular screenings.
There?s more than one kind of cervical cancer.
