Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.

Abnormal results from a Pap smear may indicate cervical cancer.

A vaccine called Gardasil has recently been released. It is highly effective in preventing persistent infection with two high-risk HPVs that cause most of cervical cancers.

Cervical cancer can mostly be prevented by the early detection of cancer precursors using regular screening (Pap smear) and gynaecological check-ups.

The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal vaginal bleeding.

The most common way of contamination is through sexual intercourse and the transmission of HPV, like any other sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Smoking increases the risk to develop cancer cells in the cervix. The risk is dose related; the more smoking the higher the risk.

The outlook for women with pre-cancerous changes of the cervix or very early cancer of the cervix is excellent; nearly all patients with these conditions can be cured.

Most women who are infected with HPV do not develop cervical cancer.