What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer in the United States is mainly caused by people who fail to show up for regular well woman exams for multiple years in a row. The most important thing that we've done in the United States to reduce the risk of cervical cancer is the Pap test. It's a simple test that is completed in the office. It's relatively non-invasive. We look at those cells to see if there are any pre-cancerous changes that are present there.

Patients who go on to develop cancer often have large lapses in time where they just haven't been into the doctor for whatever reason. It could be access to care, insurance problems, or just life getting in the way of trying to take care of yourself. Regardless, most folks who deal with cervical cancer diagnoses just haven't been in to see someone for their well woman care for a while.