Cervical cancer. Light micrograph through a section of a cervix affected by squamous cell (or epidermoid) carcinoma (top and far left). This is a cancer that arises from uncontrolled division of cells on the surface of the uterus. It is fairly common. Risk factors are smoking, early age of first sexual intercourse and exposure to human papilloma virus (HPV), a common virus that can cause abnormal cell growth. Smear tests are used to check for pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. Cervical cancer is treatable with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Magnification unknown.