Risk factors for Cervical Cancer

Scientists believe several risk factors act together, they include:

• Infection of the cervix with the human papillomavirus (HPV)-the primary risk factor for cervical cancer
• History of cervical dysplasia (a precancerous condition)
• Being a woman whose mother took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy
• HIV/AIDS
• Age: over 25 years old
• Multiple sexual partners
• Sexual activity prior to age 18
• First pregnancy prior to age 20
• History of not having Pap tests
• Smoking