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Cervical Cancer


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What Increases Your Risk

The most common cause of cervical cancer is a persistent infection with a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection of the cervix is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). A past HPV infection in you or your partner can cause abnormal cervical cell changes years later since the virus may remain in the body for life. HPV infection usually does not cause symptoms and often goes away without causing any problems, so you or your partner may not be aware of a current or past HPV infection.

Other risk factors that may increase your risk for cervical cancer include:

Pregnant women have the same risk of developing cervical cancer as nonpregnant women.



Last Updated: September 20, 2006
Author:
Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH

Merrill Hayden
Medical Review:
Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Kevin Holcomb, MD - Gynecologic Oncology


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