HPV virus and cervical cancer

Dear Ask The Doctor: How long does it take for a woman to develop cervical cancer,due to HPV ?

Dear Daniel:

When exposed to HPV, a woman's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group of women, however, the virus survives for years before it eventually converts some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells. Cervical cancer occurs most often in women over age 30.

PAP smear tests are recommended yearly and are probably one of the best ways to detect any changes in the cervix. I wish you the best.