Cervical cancer risk factors
Cervical cancer typically develops over several years and does not show symptoms in its early stages. As a result, many people are unaware they have the disease. While the exact cause of cervical cancer is unknown, we know that being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases the risk of developing the disease, as does exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES).
More than 90 percent of cervical cancers occur in individuals with high-risk strains of HPV. HPV is a commonly sexually transmitted infection, and most individuals with the virus do not develop cancer. You can request an HPV test during your routine gynecologic exam. If diagnosed with high-risk HPV, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations for regular screening, often with a Pap test. This test will check for abnormal cells (also called precancer or dysplasia) on the cervix and can help prevent cervical cancer from developing. If you have high-risk HPV, smoking and long-term use of the birth control pill can further increase your risk of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer can develop from exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the womb. DES is a synthetic form of estrogen prescribed during pregnancy between 1940 and 1971. If you have been exposed to DES, talk to your doctor about your cervical cancer risk.
How to prevent cervical cancer
At Penn Medicine, we provide you with the guidance and resources necessary to maintain a cancer-free life, including access to regular screenings, HPV prevention vaccines, and assistance with making healthy lifestyle choices. If you’re at risk of developing cervical cancer, we support you in detecting it at an early stage when it’s most treatable. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer.
When performed regularly, every year or as often as your gynecologist recommends, pelvic exams, Pap tests, and HPV testing can detect cervical cancer in its early stages. The American College of Gynecologists (ACOG) also offers useful prevention tips and screening guidelines.
Vaccines are now available to protect against high-risk forms of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against a variety of HPV-related cancers, including vaginal cancer, anal cancer, and throat cancer. However, it’s important that you continue to be screened for these cancers even after you get the vaccine.
People already infected with HPV can benefit from the HPV vaccine too. While the vaccine does not treat or cure existing HPV infections, it offers protection against additional high-risk strains that can cause cervical cancer. Ask your doctor if the HPV vaccine is right for you.
Condoms do not protect completely against HPV because they don’t cover all the potential HPV-infected areas of the body. However, condoms do provide some protection against HPV, and they protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Practicing safe sex is another way to reduce your risk.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.