Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of gynecologic cancer. The disease originates in the cells lining the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. While receiving any cancer diagnosis is daunting, cervical cancer is uniquely preventable. Routine screenings play a crucial role in early detection, and vaccines are now available that can prevent the development of the disease almost entirely.

Understanding the causes and risk factors of cervical cancer is the first step toward protecting your long-term health.

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

At a cellular level, cervical cancer begins when healthy cells in the cervix undergo abnormal DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to grow and multiply out of control, eventually forming a tumor.

In most cases, these cellular mutations are triggered by a prolonged infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). When high-risk strains of HPV remain in the body for years, the virus produces specific proteins that actively interfere with your tumor suppressor genes. By disabling this natural defense against uncontrolled cell growth, the virus slowly causes normal cervical tissue to turn into precancerous lesions and, eventually, invasive cancer.

It is important to note that while HPV is the most common cause, not all HPV infections lead to cancer, and a very small percentage of cervical cancers develop independently of the virus.

Which Cervical Cancer Risk Factors Can You Control?

Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle choices or underlying health conditions that you have the power to manage or change. Because HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, many modifiable risks are tied to sexual activity, though other environmental factors also play a large role:

• Sexual history: Becoming sexually active at an early age (before 18) or having multiple sexual partners increases the likelihood of exposure to high-risk strains of HPV.
• Smoking: Tobacco use is linked to numerous health conditions, including cervical cancer. Women who smoke are about twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as non-smokers, likely because tobacco byproducts damage the DNA of cervical cells and weaken the immune system's ability to fight off HPV.
• Pregnancy history: Women who have had three or more full-term pregnancies, or who had their first full-term pregnancy before age 20, are at an elevated risk.
• Oral contraceptives: Long-term use of birth control pills (typically five years or more) is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, this risk gradually declines after the medication is stopped.
• Immune system suppression: A weakened immune system, whether due to an HIV infection, an autoimmune disease, or immunosuppressive medications, makes it much harder for the body to naturally clear an HPV infection.

Which Cervical Cancer Risk Factors are Non-Modifiable?

Nonmodifiable risk factors are biological or historical realities that cannot be changed. While you cannot alter them, understanding these factors helps you and your doctor know if you require more frequent screenings:

• Family history: Women who have a mother, sister, or daughter who has had cervical cancer are significantly more likely to develop the malignancy themselves, suggesting a shared genetic susceptibility.
• DES exposure: Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a hormonal drug that was given to some pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage. Women whose mothers took DES during pregnancy have a specific, elevated risk of developing a rare form of cervical cancer known as clear cell adenocarcinoma.

People need to be their own advocate to get the care they need in the right place. For me that was Moffitt.

Joanne

Cervical Cancer Survivor

How long does it take for HPV to become cervical cancer?

One of the most common questions patients have after an abnormal Pap test or a positive HPV result is how quickly the infection might progress. It is highly reassuring to know that cervical cancer typically develops very slowly.

For individuals with healthy immune systems, it generally takes 15 to 20 years for a persistent, high-risk HPV infection to turn into invasive cervical cancer. For those with compromised immune systems, this timeline is shorter - typically taking 5 to 10 years.

This long latency period is exactly why the causes of cervical cancer are so manageable. Because the cellular changes happen over a decade or more, regular screenings provide your care team with a massive window to detect, monitor, and safely remove precancerous cells long before they pose a serious threat to your health.

Can Cervical Cancer be Prevented?

Yes, cervical cancer is highly preventable. Because the disease usually takes many years to develop from an initial HPV infection into invasive cancer, proactive healthcare can stop the disease before it starts.

The most powerful preventive measure is the HPV vaccine, which protects against the specific high-risk viral strains responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers. Furthermore, attending regular gynecologic checkups for routine Pap tests and HPV co-testing allows doctors to identify and remove precancerous cells long before they become malignant. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, and practicing safe sex by using condoms consistently can also drastically reduce your risk of exposure and disease progression.

Common Cervical Cancer Causes & Risk Factor FAQs

• What are precancerous cells of the cervix?

  Precancerous cells (often referred to as cervical dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) are abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, typically caused by a persistent HPV infection. While these cells are not cancer, they have the potential to develop into cervical cancer over several years if left untreated or unmonitored.

• Can the HPV vaccine eliminate my risk of cervical cancer?

  While it cannot completely eliminate the risk, the HPV vaccine is a highly effective preventive measure. Modern vaccines protect against the specific high-risk HPV strains responsible for up to 90% of all cervical cancers. Because a small percentage of cervical cancers are caused by strains not covered by the vaccine, or develop independently of the virus, routine Pap tests remain essential even if you have been vaccinated.

   

• Who is the HPV vaccine recommended for?

  The decision to get vaccinated is a personal one, typically guided by standard clinical recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely recommends the HPV vaccine for children at ages 11 or 12 to ensure protection before any potential exposure to the virus. Catch-up vaccinations are broadly recommended for everyone through age 26. Adults aged 27 to 45 may also benefit from the vaccine based on their individual lifestyle and risk factors, and are encouraged to discuss this option with their physician.

• What age group is most at risk for cervical cancer?

  Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44, and it rarely affects women younger than 20. However, the risk does not disappear as you get older. Many cases are diagnosed in women over 65, particularly if they have not been receiving regular routine screenings.

• Does having an HPV infection mean I will get cervical cancer?

  No. HPV is an incredibly common virus, and most sexually active adults will contract it at some point. In the vast majority of cases, a healthy immune system will clear the infection naturally within one to two years without causing any harm or abnormal cellular changes.

These FAQs below offer additional information about the causes and risk factors associated with cervical cancer:

• How to prevent cervical cancer
• What are precancerous cells?
• Can HPV vaccination eliminate cervical cancer?
• Should I get the cervical cancer vaccine?
• What age group is most at risk for cervical cancer?

Get the Cervical Cancer Help You Need at Moffitt Cancer Center

At Moffitt Cancer Center, we are at the forefront of cervical cancer research and treatment. Our status as a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center underscores our commitment to advancing scientific understanding and improving patient outcomes. We offer a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on individualized treatment plans.

To learn more about cervical cancer risk factors or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 1-888-663-3488 or complete our new patient registration form. Our dedicated team of experts is ready to guide you towards a healthier future.

References

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? | CDC
Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention - NCI