Cervical cancer is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and develops through the transformation of cervical cells over time, starting with changes known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The cancer is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged women, but risk factors include smoking and other sexually transmitted infections, while regular screening methods like Pap tests are crucial for early detection. Vaccines such as Gardasil are available to protect against certain high-risk HPV types linked to cervical cancer.