Overview of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer that forms in the tissue of the cervix and affects a woman’s reproductive organs.  The cancer is typically found during routine Pap test screenings where cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope.  In recent years, it has been found that various strains of the sexually transmitted infection—human papillomavirus virus (HPV)–plays a role in causing most cases of cervical cancer.  The death rate from cervical cancer has been greatly reduced over the last 50 years thanks to more advanced Pap test screenings and vaccines for young women.

Gynecology & Obstetrics Terms © – eMedical Media – http://emedicalmedia.com
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