This topic talks about the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of  cervical cancer . For general information about  abnormal Pap test  results, see the topic  Abnormal Pap Test .

Cervical cancer  occurs when abnormal cells on the  cervix  grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical  cancer can often be successfully treated when it\'s found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a  Pap test . 

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. But in the United States and other countries where cervical  cancer  screening is routine, this  cancer  is not so common.  

Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called  human papillomavirus , or HPV. You can get HPV by having  sexual contact  with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause  genital warts , but other types may not cause any symptoms.

Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time. An infection may go away on its own. But sometimes it can cause genital warts or lead to cervical cancer. That\'s why it\'s important for women to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.

Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:

• Bleeding from the  vagina that is not normal, such as bleeding between menstrual periods, after  sex , or after  menopause .
• Pain in the lower belly or pelvis.
• Pain during  sex .
• Vaginal discharge that isn\'t normal.

As part of your regular pelvic exam, you should have a Pap test . During a Pap test, the doctor scrapes a small sample of cells from the surface of the  cervix  to look for cell changes. If a Pap test shows abnormal cell changes, your doctor may do other tests to look for precancerous or cancer cells on your cervix.

Your doctor may also do a Pap test and take a sample of tissue ( biopsy ) if you have symptoms of cervical cancer, such as bleeding after sex.