Cervical Cancer
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Cervical Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
Determining Your Risk
Determining Your Risk
Your risk factors for cervical cancer are linked to your sex life. Cervical cancer is almost always caused by infection with “high-risk” strains of HPV, with two particular forms of the virus causing 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. While any sexually active woman is at risk for cervical cancer, these factors up your risk for contracting HPV:
- Having many sexual partners: The more partners you have, the higher chance you have of being exposed to various strains of HPV, including the “high-risk” strains.
- Becoming sexually active before age 18. The cervix isn’t fully developed and is more vulnerable to the infection.
- Having a previous or current chlamydia infection.
- Having a weak immune system. A compromised immune system makes you more susceptible to all infections, including HPV.
By Jenilee Matz, MPH. Published January 29, 2013. Jenilee is a medical writer, health educator, and triathlete based in Charlotte, NC.
