Most, if not all, cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are 40 different types of this virus. HPV types linked to cervical cancer may be different in women of different races.

One of the only vaccines that is known to prevent some forms of cancer is the HPV vaccine. Those who might worry about its safety have no reason to fear.

One female cancer has been on the decline in recent years. Cervical cancer cases are being prevented, in part, because of vaccines against the cancer-causing virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). The ways the cancer is being treated are changing too.

Cervical cancer isn’t all that common in this country anymore. Virtually all of the cases that do develop arise because of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Two vaccines are available to attack the major cancer-causing strains of this virus. But not all young women get vaccinated.

There's no guarantee of avoiding any kind of cancer, but some cancers have better chances for prevention than others. Several practices can help prevent cervical cancer, but do all doctors follow them?

Any time the word “advanced” goes before a type of cancer, that’s not good. Advanced cancers have either spread, come back or no longer respond to therapy.

More than a quarter of a million women around the world die of cervical cancer every year. In this country, because of the Pap test, cervical cancer is much rarer.

Cervical cancer that’s caught early is very treatable and often curable. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Two large studies have zeroed in on a particular type of radiotherapy.

If Pap smear results come back as abnormal, don't panic. An HPV test might help shed a little light on what exactly "abnormal" means for some tests.

Kicking cervical cancer to the curb takes an emotional and physical toll. It may take a little time to figure out how to improve the quality of life for the first couple years after surgery.