HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Cervical Cancer
What Increases Your Risk
A risk factor for cervical cancer is something that increases your chance of getting this cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors can make it more likely that you will get cervical cancer. But it doesn't mean that you will definitely get it. And many people who get cervical cancer don't have any of these risk factors.
Things that may increase your risk for cervical cancer include:
- Having an ongoing infection with a high-risk type of Reference human papillomavirus (HPV) Opens New Window. HPV is a Reference sexually transmitted infection (STI) Opens New Window. It is the most common cause of cervical cancer.
- High-risk sexual behaviors. These include having more than one sex partner or having a sex partner who has more than one partner. Reference Safer sex can reduce your risk.
- Having an Reference impaired immune system Opens New Window. Some conditions such as HIV can make you more likely to get an HPV infection.
- Smoking cigarettes or breathing in secondhand smoke.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 22, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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