Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer for women worldwide. In Africa, Asia, and South America, cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer for women. High rates of cervical cancer in other parts of the world are attributed to a lack of widespread testing for the disease. The Pap test is the most commonly used test to diagnose pre-cancerous cells that may lead to cervical cancer. Pap tests are recommended annually for women who are sexually active, or who are age 18 or older.
Pap tests involve the analysis of cells taken from a woman's cervix.
Changes in these cells can indicate pre-cancerous or cancerous changes in the cervix. The HPV virus is transmitted through sexual contact, and has many derivative strains, or different types. Relatively few of the HPV types have been found to cause cervical cancer. Though many sexually active women contract HPV, only a small number of these women ultimately develop cervical cancer. Other risk factors include immune system functioning, nutrition, smoking, and genetic factors.