Cancer of the cervix is caused by micro-organisms called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus is only transmitted to women from their partners/spouses through sexual intercourse. In Malaysia, cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer among females after breast cancer. The incidence is 21.5 per 100,000 population, with incidence among the Chinese being highest at 33.6 per 100,000 and among Malays the lowest being 12.6 per 100,000. For the past twenty years or so the Annual Reports of Ministry of Health recorded an average of 2500 new cases per year. Cancer of the cervix is preventable. The precursor cancer cells can be easily detected provided the women do regular screening tests called Pap Smear. In nearly all cases this cancer arises from the transformation
zone of the cervix. This is the zone in the cervical mucosa in which the epithelium abruptly changes from hardy squamous epithelium of the ectocervix to the fragile columnar epithelium of the endocervix.
Cervical cancer is the first solid tumour to be shown directly induced by virus. HPV is found in virtually all cervical carcinomas and their precursors.