All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, approximately 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that Is passed from one person to another deranges. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.