Risk Factors For Cervical Cancer

OB/GYN

Risk Factors For Cervical Cancer

  • Smoking Cigarettes
  • Early onset of sexual activity
  • Having multiple sexual partners
  • HPV infection
  • HIV infection

“Cervical cancer screening strategies differ based on risk. Cigarette smoking independently increases the risk of cervical cancer 2–4 times (SOR B). It is the only nonsexual behavior associated with cervical dysplasia and cancer. There is insufficient evidence to support a connection between alcohol use and cervical cancer.

An early onset of sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners both increase the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which leads to cervical dysplasia and cancer (SOR C). Infection with high-risk strains of HPV is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV DNA is detectable in 95%–100% of squamous cell cervical cancer and 75%–95% of high-grade CIN lesions (SOR B). HIV infection leads to immunosuppression, making a woman more susceptible to HPV infection and thereby leading to cervical dysplasia and cancer (SOR C).” ABFM

References:
Check USPSTF; CDC.gov; and Cancer.org for updated resources. These links are from the ABFM.
  1. Basic information about cervical cancer. Centers for Disease Control, 2008.
    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/
  2. HPV-associated cervical cancer rates by race and ethnicity. Centers for Disease Control, 2008.
    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cervical.htm
  3. What are the risk factors for cervical cancer? American Cancer Society, 2008.
    http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CervicalCancer/DetailedGuide/cervical-cancer-risk-factors
  4. US Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for Cervical Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. AHRQ pub no 11-05156-EF-2, 2012.
    http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/cervcancer/cervcancerrs.htm
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