|
 |
|
|
|
       |
| Cervical Cancer - Step 1: Find Out About Cervical Cancer Risk |  email this page |
| What are the known risk factors for cervical cancer?
Doctors cannot always explain why one woman develops cervical cancer and another does not. However, they have found the main risk factor for cervical cancer. It is called human papillomavirus (pap-ih-LO-ma-VYE-rus) (HPV). |
|
|
HPV infection is the cause of more than 90 percent
of cervical cancers worldwide.
|
|
Main risk factor: Human
papillomaviruses (HPVs)
Other risk factors: Studies have found other factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer. These factors may act together with HPV or with each other to increase the risk even more. |
||
|
Lack
of regular Pap tests Weakened immune system |
Age Sexual history Smoking cigarettes |
Using
birth control pills for a long time Having many children Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure |
| Find out more: | ||
| What is the cervix? | Cervical cancer statistics | Things to know about cervical cancer |
