Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

The following have been suggested as risk factors for cervical cancer:

infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
Infection with HPV is most often the result of unprotected sex.
infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other condition that weakens the immune system. HIV is the precursor to AIDS.
smoking
Women who smoke are nearly twice as likely as nonsmokers to have cervical cancer.
age
The diagnosis of cancer of the cervix generally occurs in midlife. However, cervical cancer can occur at any age.
having sexual intercourse before the age of 18
having many sexual partners, and having partners who have had sexual intercourse at a young age and/or have had many partners themselves
previous diagnosis of chlamydia
New research has shown that chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S., may increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer.