Linking HPV to Cervical Cancer

HPV is the most common virus that infects the reproductive tract and Cervical cancer is by far the most common disease caused by it. (Credit: scientificanimations.com)

In 1985, scientists discovered that the presence of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer. The use of HeLa cells was critical to this discovery, which led to the development of one of the first anti-cancer vaccines. All school children aged 12-13 are now routinely offered this vaccine in the UK.

Read more about the discovery here.