The development of cervical cancer is gradual and begins as a
pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia. It is usually a
slow-growing cancer and if caught early can be successfully
treated. Routine Pap smears can detect early changes in the cells
of the cervix, allowing cervical cancer to be diagnosed early. The
new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will prevent most cases of
cervical cancer.
Review Date: 12/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
