Risk Factors of Cervix Cancer

Cervix cancer is an easily preventable type of cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the part of the body that connects the vagina to the upper part of the uterus. This particular type of cancer has a high cure rate if it is diagnosed and treated early. That is why it is crucial for women to get yearly pap smears. Most cases of cervix cancer occur in women who are over 30 years of age. However, an annual pap smear should be done starting at age 18 or two years after the first sexual encounter, whichever occurs first.

HPV

• The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the biggest risk factor for cervix cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, doctors believe that in order for women to develop cervix cancer, they must have been infected with HPV first. Various types of HPV are considered "high risk" because they are usually the types that cause cancer. HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause around two-thirds of cervix cancer cases. Certain types of HPV can be prevented by a vaccination called Gardasil. This vaccine is mainly given to women between the ages of 11 and 26.

Smoking

• If you are a woman who smokes, you are twice as likely to get cervix cancer than a non-smoker. The cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes can damage the DNA of your cervix and eventually cause cancer. These chemicals also weaken the cells of the cervix, making them more susceptible to infection and abnormal development. By-products of cigarettes can often be found in the cervical mucus of smokers.

HIV and Chlamydia

• There is a definite connection between women with HIV and cervix cancer, and doctors urge women with the AIDS virus to get a pap smear at least every six months. Women with weak immune systems have a hard time fighting cervix cancer because the immune system plays a crucial role in combating cancer cells. Women with past or current chlamydia infections also have a higher rate of cervix cancer.

Birth Control Pills

• The American Cancer Society estimates that women who have taken oral contraceptives for over five years have twice the risk of cervix cancer. However, 10 years after stopping birth control pills, the risk of cervix cancer returns to normal. It is important to to weigh the pros and cons of oral contraceptives when deciding which birth control is right for you. The birth control pill does have some advantages, such as decreased risk of ovarian cancer and improved menstrual cycles, so talk to your doctor to see if it is a good fit.

Heredity

• Many types of cancers are hereditary, and cervix cancer is no exception. If an immediate member of your family has suffered from cervix cancer, you are two to three times more likely to develop it yourself. There also is an inherited condition that makes it harder for some women to fight off HPV infections, which is a major risk factor for cervix cancer. Get annual pap smears if you have a family history of cancer, even if your doctor suggest doing them at longer intervals. Early diagnosis is the key to saving lives when it comes to this type of cancer.