Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus
It's not actually fully understood what causes cancerous abnormalities in the cervix although the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is known to play a role.
There are several types of HPV. Some cause genital warts, although these do not actually cause cervical cancer. Other HPV's have been proven to cause cell abnormalities in the lining of the cervix and it is these 'high-risk' types have been seen in most cases of cervical cancer.
However, research has shown that women who have been diagnosed with a mildly abnormal smear test result but who who don't have a high-risk type of HPV infection are most likely not going to develop cervical cancer.
Related Smear Test Articles
Treatments for Cervical Changes
Resources
For further information about HPV visit NHS Cancer Screening Programme.
Further information about Colposcopy and invasive illness is available from the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.
