Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers.
Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus passed on by sexual contact.
Most people will come into contact with HPV at some stage during
their life. Most HPV infections clear by themselves, but some high-risk
types can cause cell changes on the cervix that may lead to cervical
cancer 10 to 20 years after infection.
Other types can cause genital warts, but these strains do not lead to cancer. A woman’s best protection against developing cervical cancer is having regular cervical smear tests. A cervical smear test is a screening test to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. HPV testing may sometimes be carried out to see if certain high-risk types of HPV are present in the cervix. This helps to define the risk of cervical cancer.
https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/prevention-cervical-cancer-guide-women-new-zealand
Other types can cause genital warts, but these strains do not lead to cancer. A woman’s best protection against developing cervical cancer is having regular cervical smear tests. A cervical smear test is a screening test to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. HPV testing may sometimes be carried out to see if certain high-risk types of HPV are present in the cervix. This helps to define the risk of cervical cancer.
https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/prevention-cervical-cancer-guide-women-new-zealand