Cervical cancer starts in the cervix and often occurs in women over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Other risk factors include:

• Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV
• Smoking
• Having given birth to three or more children
• Use of birth control pills for longer than five years

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanic/Latina women have the highest cervical cancer rates, followed by Black/African American women.

The most important thing you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated for HPV early and have regular screening tests. Low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women can access cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services through the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).