Who is at high risk for cervical cancer?

Posted in cervical cancer, causes; Posted 3 years ago by Andreas Obermair

In Australia, cervical cancer is less frequent than in countries that don’t have a cervical screening program. This is also due to Australia’s cervical cancer vaccination program and cervical cancer being one of the most preventable types of cancer.

However, with 900 patients diagnosed each year in Australia, there are still people who are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer, 

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• Previous human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused the HPV infection. 
• Smoking can increase your risk of cervical cancer, as well as ovarian and vulval cancer.
• Lack of regular Cervical Screening Tests.
• Age. Cervical cancer is more common in younger women. Around 70% of cervical cancers are diagnosed in women under 60 years of age. However, people under 20 years of age rarely develop this cancer.
• Contraceptive pill. Long-term use of the oral contraceptive pill is associated with a small increased risk of cervical cancer. However, the pill has a substantial (50%) and long-lasting protective effect against ovarian and endometrial cancer.
• Previous abnormality of the cervix.
• Having many children.
• Diethylstilboestrol (DES). DES is a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen. Doctors prescribed DES to help some pregnant women to prevent miscarriage between the 1940s and 1970s in Australia. Women whose mothers were given DES during pregnancy may be at increased risk of rare types of cervical and vaginal cancer.

It is important for women to know if they are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer, so they may discuss them with health professionals if concerned. Knowing cancer risk factors can prompt an individual to make lifestyle choices that may decrease cancer risk and improve overall health.

Although certain factors can increase a woman's risk for developing cervical cancer, they do not necessarily always cause the cancer.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

If you are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer, it is important to know the signs and symptoms.

It’s also important to note that patients with cervical cancer often develop no symptoms when the cancer is in its precancerous and early stages. For this reason, regular cervical cancer screening is important. Screening picks up early stages of cancer when there are no symptoms yet. Early-stage cervical cancers have a good survival rate and are highly treatable.

Cervical cancer can exhibit symptoms which may include:

• Vaginal bleeding post menopause
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods
• Pain during intercourse or bleeding post intercourse
• Menstrual bleeding which is longer or heavier than usual
• Painful urination
• Unusual vaginal discharge.

Having a cervical cancer screening test with your GP every five years is one of the most important cancer prevention measures every women should take. The test is designed to check for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the cause of almost all cervical cancer types. If the test indicates an abnormality further tests should be performed.

A complete overview of the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment options of cervical cancer can be found on the Cervical Cancer Page.

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