cancer, causes

cancer, cervical A malignant tumor of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus, which forms a canal that opens into the vagina. Regular pelvic exams and Pap tests are of great importance and can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding. Cancer of the cervix can be diagnosed by using a Pap test or other procedures that sample the cervix tissue. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. Women who begin having sexual intercourse before age 18 and have many sexual partners are at increased risk. Furthermore, women whose partners begin having sexual intercourse at a young age and have many sexual partners, especially one who had cervical cancer, are at increased risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that is a known cause of cervical cancer. Other risk factors include exposure before birth to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), smoking, and immunodeficiency. See also Pap test.