Cervical infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the gene damage that leads to cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted through sexual intercourse and causes genital warts.

Genes control the functions inside a cell. Special genes control how cells divide and grow. Cancer occurs when the damaged genes stimulate the cell to multiply out of control. The exact cause for this damage is unknown.

Examples:

• DNA
• Genes on chromosomes
• Cancer cells
• Cancer cell division