What Is It? The cervix is a small, donut-shaped structure. It is
located at the top of the vagina. It is the entrance to the
uterus. Cervical cancer begins in the outer layer of the cervix.
This outer layer is called the cervical epithelium. Tiny changes
begin in epithelial cells. Over time, cells may become cancerous
and grow out of control. Cervical cancer usually grows slowly.
It can remain in the cervical covering for up to 10 years. Once
cervical cancer moves beyond this layer, it invades nearby
tissue. This includes the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum.
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by infection with human
papilloma virus (HPV). HPV can damage the cells that line the
cervix. Sometimes the damage occurs in the genes of the cells,
which may lead to cervical cancer. HPV is a very common
infection among sexually active women. But only a small number
of women with HPV develop cervical cancer. Smokers are more
likely to develop cervical abnormalities if they are infected
with HPV. Women infected wit