Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with over 500,000 new cases occurring in 2012. Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV works by degrading tumor suppressor proteins and disrupting cell cycle regulation through its E6 and E7 proteins. Regular Pap smear screening can detect pre-cancerous lesions and reduce cervical cancer deaths by up to 80% by allowing for early treatment. Risk factors for cervical cancer include early age of first sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, low socioeconomic status, smoking, and HIV/AIDS.