Why are some women more likely to get cervical cancer than other women?

Risk factors vary: The most common type of cervical cancer is squamous cell cervical cancer, and this often arises after infection with the human papillomavirus (hpv). Hpv is a sexually transmitted disease (std) which is also associated with genital warts. Women who have been exposed to hpv or who have reduced immune function or who are at risk for other STDs are at higher risk for cervical cancer.

HPV type and Immune: High risk type hpv virus, smoking, hiv/other immunosuppresive diseases and not using condoms increase a woman's chance of cervical cancer. There are different types of hpv virus and some are more dangerous than others. Gardasil protects against the highest risk hpv (16 & 18). Getting pap smears regularly reduces cervical cancer risk as pre-cancers can be treated before they become cancer.

Cigarette smoking: Cervical cancer is caused by hpv, or human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted, but vaccine-preventable disease. One of the major risk factors is cigarette smoking, which dramatically increases the risk of progression of disease at all stages. It is another reason why women should consider quitting smoking. Most states require the immunization series for girls beginning in their early teens.