Cause Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors


The risk factors below can increase a woman's chance of cervical cancer:

Infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

In cervical cancer, the most important risk factor is infection with HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is a group of more than 100 related viruses that can infect cells on the skin surface, is transmitted through skin contact such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Low-risk HPV virus can cause genital warts (genital wart disease) that can heal itself with immunity. But in high-risk HPV virus types (types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45), the virus can alter the surface of vaginal cells. If not immediately detected and treated, the HPV virus infection in the long run this can cause cells to form pre cervical cancer.

Unsafe sex, especially at a young age or having multiple sex partners, allowing the occurrence of HPV infection. Three of the four new cases of HPV infection attacks the young women (aged 15-24 years). HPV Virus Infection can occur within the first 2-3 years they are sexually active.

At the age of adolescents (12-20 years) female reproductive organs are actively growing. Stimulation of the penis / semen can trigger changes in the nature of the cells become abnormal, especially if the injury occurs during intercourse and then infection with HPV virus. These abnormal cells that contain high potential cause of cervical cancer.

Now there are several vaccines that prevent infection from some types of HPV.

Other Risk Factors

Smoking: Women who smoke are two times more likely to get cervical cancer than those who do not. Cigarettes contain many toxic substances / chemicals that can cause lung cancer. Hazardous substances were brought into the bloodstream throughout the body to other organs as well. By-products (by-products), cigarettes are often found in cervical mucosa of women smokers.

HIV infection: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS-is not the same with HPV. It can also be a risk factor for cervical cancer. Having HIV somehow make a woman's immune system less able to fight both HPV infection and cancers at an early stage.

Chlamydia infection: This is a common bacteria that attacks the organs of women, spread through sexual intercourse. A woman may not know that he was infected but do test for chlamydia during a pelvic exam. Some research found that women who have a history or current infection are at risk of cervical cancer is higher. Infection in the long run can also cause other serious problems.

Diet: What you eat can also play a role. Diet low in vegetables and fruits may be associated with increased risk of cancer seviks. Also, women are obese / overweight are at higher risk.

Birth control pills: Use of birth control pills in the long term may increase the risk of cervical cancer. Research found that the risk of cervical cancer increases with the longer women used the contraceptive pill and tends to decrease when the pill on-stop. You should discuss with your doctor about the pros cons of the use of birth control pills in your case. Have Many Pregnancy: Women who underwent 3 or more intact pregnancies at increased risk of cervical cancer. No one knows why this could occur.

First pregnancy at a young age: Women who get pregnant the first at age under 17 years almost always 2x more likely to develop cervical cancer in old age, than women who delay pregnancy until the age of 25 years or older

Low Income: Poor women are at risk of cervical cancer is higher. This may be because they are unable to obtain adequate health care, such as Pap smear tests regularly.

DES (diethylstilbestrol): DES is a hormonal drug that was used between the years 1940-1971 for some women who are in danger of miscarriage. Female children of women who use these drugs, when they are pregnant are at risk of cervical and vaginal cancer is slightly higher.

Family History: Cervical cancer may run in some families. When Mom or your sister has cervical cancer, your risk of this cancer can be 2 or 3 times as much from others who are not. This may be because women are less able to fight HPV infection than other women in general.