http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_What_Every_Woman_Should_Know_About_Cervical_Cancer_and_the_Human_Papilloma_Virus.asp?sitearea=
One of the best and proven steps that you can take to prevent a cancer is to have a Pap test. Changes in the cervix are often caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV), which is short for human papilloma virus. HPV infections can lead to cervix cancer. This document has answers to many questions women may have about preventing cervix cancer or finding it early, the Pap test, HPV, and the HPV test.