The cervix is in the lower, narrow part of the womb. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer among women.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, where it contacts the vagina. Cancer of the uterine cervix affects over 12,000 women each year in the U.S. Most cases of cervical cancer are actually caused by an infectious agent, the human papillomavirus. It is highly curable when detected early enough.
HPV: Top Cause of Cervical Cancer
The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a large group of viruses, about 40 of which can infect the human genital tract. Some HPVs are known to cause cervical cancers, while others cause genital warts. Most genital HPV infections go away on their own, but when they become chronic, they can cause precancerous and cancerous changes in the cells that line the uterine cervix. Over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.