What is cervical cancer?
If abnormal cells on the surface of cervix spread deeper into the cervix, or other tissues or organs, the disease is then called cervical cancer or invasive cervical cancer. Cervical cancer occurs more frequently in women over 40 years of age. This is different from cancer that begins in other parts of the uterus and requires different treatment. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.

The mortality rates of cervical cancer have declined sharply as Pap screenings have become more prevalent. As some 9710 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2006. Some researchers estimate that noninvasive cervical cancer is almost four times more common than invasive cervical cancer.

What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is anything that may increase a person’s chance of developing a disease. May be causes activity like smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including cancers, have different risk factors.

Although these factors can increase a person’s risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop cancer, while others develop without known risk factors.

But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.

What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

The following risk factors have been considered for cervical cancer:

- Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), often as a result of unprotected sex.
- Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the precursor to AIDS or other conditions that can weaken the immune system.
- Smoking
Women who smoke are nearly twice more likely to develop cervical cancer than nonsmokers.
- Age
The risk of cancer of the cervix increases between the late teens and 35 years of age. However, cervical cancer can occur at any age.
- Having sex before 18 years of age.
- Having multiple sexual partners and having partners who have had sex when they were younger and / or which in turn has had many sexual partners.

- Can we prevent cervical cancer?
Early detection of cervical problems is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. The Routine, annual pelvic exams and Pap tests can detect precancerous cells cervix conditions that often can be treated before cancer develops. That is most likely to find invasive cancer if it occurs at an earlier stage. Pelvic exams and Pap tests are the methods used to determine if there are cervical problems.

Women who are or have been sexually active, or have 18 years of age or older should have regular checkups, including a pelvic exam and Pap test.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

A pelvic exam and Pap test allow the physician to detect abnormal changes in the cervix. If an infection is present, treated and the Pap test is repeated in the future. If the exam or Pap test suggests something other than an infection, a repeated Pap test and other tests is to determine which the problem.

Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus, including the cervix) should ask your doctor about pelvic exams and Pap tests.

Because it has been discovered that certain strains of HPV cause most cases of cervical cancer, research efforts have focused on the development of a vaccine against this virus. Have already developed two vaccines against HPV and clinical trials have been successful. According to a study published in April 2005, one of the vaccines showed a 89% effective in preventing infection by four particular strains of HPV, and a 100% effective in preventing cervical cancer, precancerous lesions and genital warts. This vaccine was sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States for approval in early 2006. The other vaccine will be supplied for regulatory approval in Europe in 2006.