Introduction to Cervical Cancer

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

A risk factor is anything that increases a person's changes for getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• Persistent HPV infection
• Sexual intercourse at an early age
• Multiple sexual partners
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives
• History of 5 or more pregnancies
• Cigarette smoking
• Low socioeconomic status
• Immunosuppression (such as in transplant recipients or women with HIV)
• Poor nutrition
• Presence of sexually transmitted illness besides HPV (such as Chlamydia, Herpes, or HIV)