Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (a part of the female body between the vagina and the uterus). It is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can also cause certain other cancers, in both females and males. The virus can spread from one person to another when they have sex. It can also be spread by skin-to-skin sexual touching. There is now a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer by stopping infection by this virus. Both girls and boys should get the HPV vaccine. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says, "Cervical cancer may be eliminated as a public health problem by vaccination against human papillomavirus." 