Cervical cancer used to be the number one cause of cancer deaths in American women with an estimated 11,150 new cases in 2007. It is caused by several different types of a virus known as human papillomavirus or HPV. HPV is spread by sexual contact and can be asymptomatic in many cases.

With the introduction Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, girls as young as 9 lower their risk of cervical cancer. With Pap smears becoming more widespread it has also helped in lowering the number of infections and deaths in the United States . It is important for all women over the age of 21, or women who are sexually active, to be proactive and receive an annual exam and Pap smear.

December 2007
Sources: Health Day, http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0, http://www.cancer.gov/

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