In the United States, approximately 11,270 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,100 women die from the disease this year. Today, however, invasive cervical cancer is highly preventable. According to the National Cancer Institute, the key to preventing death from cervical cancer is regular screening to detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix early, before they become cancerous.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman's reproductive organs. Although cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined in the United States over the last three decades, incidence rates for Hispanic women are higher than those for non-Hispanic women.

The mortality rate for African American women has declined more rapidly than the rate for white women, yet the African American mortality rate continues to be at least double that of whites. Geographic and socioeconomic disparities in cervical cancer mortality also exist.

Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cases of cervical cancer. They are very common, and can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Some types of HPV can cause damage to cells in the cervix, leading to genital warts, cancer and other problems.

When exposed to HPV, a woman's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group of women, however, the virus survives for years before it eventually converts some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells. Half of cervical cancer cases occur in women between ages 35 and 55.

In addition to HPV, risk factors for cervical cancer include:

Weakened immune system. Women with HIV infection who take drugs that suppress the immune system have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer.

Age. Cancer of the cervix occurs most often in women over the age of 40.

Sexual history. Women who have had many sexual partners have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. Also, a woman who has had intercourse with a man who has had many sexual partners may be at higher risk of developing the disease. In both cases, the risk of developing cervical cancer increases because these women have a higher-than-average risk of HPV infection.

Smoking cigarettes. Women with an HPV infection who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of cervical cancer than women with HPV infection who do not smoke.

A Pap test is a simple test performed in a physician's office or clinic used to look at cervical cells. The physician or nurse scrapes a sample of cells from the cervix, and then smears the cells on a glass slide which is sent to a laboratory for viewing under a microscope for abnormalities. Finding and treating abnormal cells can prevent most cervical cancers, and screening can help find cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be effective. If regular Pap smears are done, dysplasia, which is a precursor to cancer, can be detected and treated preventing cancer.

If a Pap smear is abnormal, a colposcopy (examination of the cervix using a magnifying lens) and a biopsy (the collection and examination of tissue) may be performed to determine whether cancer is present. Once cancer is identified, other tests may be necessary to determine the best approach to treatment.

Women with cervical cancer have many treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. The choice of treatment depends mainly on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.

Unfortunately, early cervical cancers usually do not cause symptoms. As the cancer growth progresses, a woman may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. This bleeding may appear between periods, after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam. Women also may experience increased vaginal discharge or pelvic pain.

Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat. If undetected, it spreads into surrounding tissues (such as the uterus or vagina, pelvic wall, or bladder) or distant parts of the body causing debility and eventually, death.

As with any cancer, it is best to detect it early. By the time overt symptoms occur, the cancer may be more advanced. Periodic PAP smears are very important and should continue to be a regular part of every woman's personal health maintenance plan.