Cervical cancer is relatively rare, but it is still the fourth most common type of cancer that affects women. There are several causes of cervical cancer with the most common one being a sexually transmitted infection called HPV or human papillomaviruses. The average age of diagnosis for cervical cancer in women is 50, which shows that it affects ageing women who have hit or are close to hitting menopause. 

As one of the most important causes, HPV and its connection to cervical cancer must be understood and studied to reduce your risk factors for cervical cancer. So, let’s review the various causes, risk factors, and the connection of HPV and cervical cancer to ensure you are safe from the condition. But first let’s understand what HPV is and why it is a major risk factor for cervical cancer.

What is HPV & Why Is It A Risk For Cervical Cancer?

HPV or human papillomaviruses is a sexually transmitted infection that is very common among people across the world. It is estimated that everyone can get or does get HPV at some point in their life. The infection doesn’t have any symptoms, so it is very difficult to diagnose the condition. In most cases, the infection goes away on its own without ever showing a sign or symptom that could be diagnosed. However, being affected with HPV can increase your risk of cervical cancer.

It is important to mention that there are several types of HPV infections. Some types of HPV infections will cause visible symptoms like warts in your genital area. Other types of HPV infections will increase your risk of cervical cancer, but won’t show any symptoms. These types of HPV infections cause changes to your cervix over time. When your body isn’t able to get rid of the HPV infection, the virus slowly starts turning the normal cells in your cervix to abnormal cells and they continually keep changing until they become cancerous. The HPV viruses that cause cancer are known as the oncogenic HPV types. 

Now that you know about HPV and its connection to cervical cancer, let’s review the other common causes and risk factors.

Common Cervical Cancer Causes & Risk Factors

• Long-Term Use of Oral Birth Control

Oral birth control pills have several health effects and a slightly higher risk of cervical cancer is one of them. It should be noted that using oral birth control pills does not increase your risk of cervical cancer very highly. In fact, if you are using the pills for over 5 years continuously, only then it increases your risk of cervical cancer. If you stop using the pills, your risk factor goes down by itself and completely dissipates in a few years too.

• Weakened Immune System

Conditions like HIV and AIDS increase your risk of cervical cancer significantly. These conditions weaken your immune system, which in turn, increase your risk of cervical cancer. Other causes for a weakened immune system including the use of immunosuppressive drugs or receiving organ donations can increase your risk of cervical cancer too. A weakened immune system makes it easier for the virus to be persistently present in your body, which over time increases your risk of cervical cancer.

• Smoking

Smoking weakens your immune system over time and it leads to an increased risk of cervical cancer. Smoking tobacco is generally bad for your health, but in terms of your risk of cervical cancer, it increases the risk significantly. Because of smoking’s effect on your immune system, precancerous lesions, which could have been stopped from turning cancerous by your immune system, have the potential to turn cancerous. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer if you are a regular smoker.

• Not Getting Regular Pap Smear Tests

Pap smear tests can actually reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Pap smear tests are used to monitor the health of your cervix. Any lesions in your cervix or cervical abnormalities are detected using this routine diagnostic procedure for women over the age of 21. Precancerous lesions that are detected in a pap smear can be treated before they turn cancerous. This is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer, which is by actively monitoring it and going for your pap smear tests at doctor recommended intervals.

• Not Getting The HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine is one of the best ways to protect your body from the different strains of HPV. It is best recommended to girls who are not sexually active as it protects the body against all the covered strains of the virus. For girls who don’t get the vaccine in their teenage years, getting it after you are sexually active can still protect them from the strains that have not affected their bodies yet. The strains that have already affected you cannot be reversed by the vaccine. However, the strains that are most common for causing cervical cancer are covered by most vaccines, which can help reduce your risk of the cancer.

• Multiple Full-Term Pregnancies

Women who have gone through multiple full-term pregnancies are at a higher risk of cervical cancer. This risk is generally attributed to hormonal changes and increased susceptibility to HPV caused due to multiple pregnancies. However, the risk factor is relatively low and can be mitigated with regular health checkups and screening tests.

• Having Many Sexual Partners

Having many sexual partners or practising unsafe sex from an early age can increase your risk of STDs, STIs, and consequently HPV. If you have more sexual partners, the probability for you to have multiple strains of HPV increases, which increases your risk of cervical cancer manyfold. This risk is also applied if you are engaged in sexual activity from a young age as it increases the chances of you getting HPV, which in turn, increases your risk of cervical cancer.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the common causes and risk factors for cervical cancer it is important to modify your lifestyle accordingly to lower your risk as much as possible. As you age, you should also regularly visit your doctor and go for screening tests. These tests help your doctors actively monitor your cervix and check for any abnormalities or lesions. 

With the right medical help you can keep your risk of cervical cancer in check and live a healthy life. To learn more about cervical cancer and its treatment options check out MASSH. We specialise in minimally invasive procedures and gynecological care that can help you manage cervical cancer. Check out our website to learn more about our treatment options or visit us today to avail our world class medical services.