Cervical cancer is highly curable if detected early. Cervical cancer develops when cells grow uncontrollably in the cervix, the entrance to the womb, and may spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Most cervical cancers are caused by a genital infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is a group of viruses, some of which will not cause noticeable symptoms or require treatment. However, some types of HPV infections are considered high-risk and can lead to the growth of cancerous tumours if left untreated.
In the early stages of cervical cancer, a women may not experience any symptoms, which is why regular PAP smears, to detect any abnormal cells in the cervix, are so important. During the test, a sample is taken from the cervix to check for any abnormalities in the cells. In addition, HPV testing done at the same time as the Pap smear; this increases the sensitivity of the test.