The present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer by detecting Na.sup.+, K.sup.+-ATPase expression. For example, it is demonstrated herein that expression of the Na.sup.+, K.sup.+-ATPase .beta.1-subunit increases in cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer, relative to normal cervical tissue. Also provided are methods of treating cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer by decreasing the biological activity of the Na.sup.+, K.sup.+-ATPase. For example, therapeutically effective amounts of one or more Na.sup.+, K.sup.+-ATPase inhibitors can be applied to the cervix to treat cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.