What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk for cervical cancer. These factors may act together to increase the risk even more.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of common viruses that can infect the cervix. They pass from person to person through sexual contact.

Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. These changes can lead to genital warts, cancer, and other problems. The Pap test can find changes caused by HPV, as well as cervical cancer. Treating these changes can prevent cervical cancer.

Women with HPV infections have an even higher risk for cervical cancer if they smoke cigarettes, have used birth control pills for five years or more, or have many children.

Cervical cancer risk is also higher among women who:

• Do not get regular Pap tests.
• Have a weakened immune system (the body's disease-fighting system) because they have an HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) infection or took drugs that affect the immune system.
• Are age 40 or older.
• Have had many sexual partners or have had a sexual relationship with a man who has had many partners. In both cases, the risk is higher because the woman has an increased risk of HPV infection.

For more information on cervical cancer, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

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