Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancer. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. Other things may play a role, such as having more than one sex partner or smoking cigarettes.

If you have a cervix, you may need screening for cervical cancer. When and how often depends on your age, the type of test you have and whether you have a history of abnormal Pap or HPV tests or cervical cancer.

A Pap test is a test that looks for changes in the cells of the cervix. During a pelvic exam, the healthcare provider feels the reproductive organs. Many people confuse the two because they are usually done at the same time. 

Depending on how early the cancer is detected and what treatment is used, among other factors, pregnancy may still be an option for some women.