Cervical cancer is abnormal growth of cells of the cervix (neck of the womb).It is linked to smoking, genes and HIV. Most often it is caused by a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) so having sex early in life or many sex partners puts you at more risk. HPV can cause genital warts but mostly it is invisible so you will not know you have it and there is no cure. Recently, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) appears to be coming up as accomplice to the human papilloma virus (HPV) in causing some cases of cervical cancer. The best protection from HPV and cervical cancer is abstinence, avoiding young sex, using condoms ALWAYS, having just one sex partner and regular pap smears.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation & Marie Stopes