Cervical cancer is a disease most women should be screened for on a regular basis. Here are answers to some questions you may have about the disease and screenings for it. Fortunately, most women who have HPV will never develop cervical cancer. However, a significant number of women with HPV develop a precancerous condition called cervical dysplasia. If cervical dysplasia is left untreated, invasive cervical cancer may eventually develop.
Every woman runs the risk of developing cervical cancer.
The Pap test is the most effective cancer prevention strategy available. The Pap test detects precancerous changes in the cervix that need to be further examined and diagnosed. This means that changes can be detected in time for intervention to prevent cancer from developing. Women should have their first Pap test at age 18 or when they first become sexually active, whichever comes first. A Pap test should be performed yearly unless a woman's doctor indicates otherwise.