Cervical cancer is a disease of the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina in women. It was once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S., but screening and prevention have reduced deaths caused by this disease. Regular Pap tests can help to diagnose causes of cervical cancer before the cancer stage.
This cancer is one of several that can be caused by infections that arise from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a viral infection that can be associated with the cause of cervical cancer. This is why vaccines against this virus are so important to prevent infection