The cervix is the opening of the uterus that leads into the vaginal canal. You can feel it with your fingers, inside of the vagina. Only a few types of HPV cause cancer. Dysplasia is the development of abnormal cells on the cervix. When dysplasia is diagnosed and treated early, cancer can be prevented.
Cervical cancer starts out in a few cells, but gradually grows in size.
This usually occurs over ten or more years. When the growth can be seen and felt during a pelvic exam, it its called a tumor. If the tumor is not treated, it will spread to nearby areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. If cervical cancer is not treated, it will become a life-threatening disease. Many doctors believe that dysplasia will become cancer more rapidly with HIV infection.