Cervical cancer is a cancer that develops in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower section of the uterus that attaches to the vaginal canal. Most cervical cancer is caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. When the body is exposed to HPV, the immune system usually stops the virus from causing harm. However, in a small number of people, the virus can live for years, contributing to the transformation of some cervical cells into cancer cells. Cervical cancer can be prevented by having screening tests and getting a vaccine that protects against HPV infection. Cervical cancer is caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA of healthy cells in the cervix. The DNA of a cell includes the instructions that tell it what to do. Healthy cells develop and replicate at a predetermined rate before dying at a predetermined period. The mutations cause the cells to proliferate and replicate uncontrollably, and they do not perish as a result. The aberrant cells that are accumulating form a bulk (tumor). Cancer cells can infiltrate adjacent tissues and break out from a tumor to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Although the exact cause of cervical cancer is unknown, HPV is known to play a role. HPV is quite widespread, and the majority of persons infected with it never develop cancer. This indicates that other factors, such as your environment or lifestyle choices, play a role in whether or not you get cervical cancer. Cervical cancer of this sort starts in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) that line the outer section of the cervix, which protrudes into the vaginal canal. Squamous cell carcinomas account for the majority of cervical malignancies. The column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal are where this type of cervical cancer originates. Cervical cancer can involve both types of cells at times. Cancer in the cervix’s other cells occurs very rarely.
