HPV Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

One of the most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Researchers believe that infection with the HPV virus is required in order for women do develop cervical cancer. HPV combines with other factors and may lead to cervical cell changes that can cause cancer. However, not all women with the HPV virus will get cervical cancer. In fact, most will not.

HPVs are a group of viruses called papillomaviruses because some of them can also cause warts, or papillomas, which are non-cancerous (benign) tumors. Certain types, however, cause cancer of the cervix. These are called "high-risk" types of HPV and include HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, and HPV 45, as well as some others. HPV types 16 and 18 cause about two thirds of all cervical cancers.

Some types of HPV cause different kinds of warts on various places on the body. For example, some cause common, benign warts on the hands and feet. Some types tend to cause warts on the lips or tongue. Genital HPVs may cause warts to appear on or around the female and male genital organs and the anal area. These HPV types are passed from one person to another during skin-to-skin sexual contact, including vaginal and anal intercourse, and possibly during oral sex.

When HPV occurs on the skin of the external (outer) genital organs and anal area, it often causes raised bumpy warts. These may be barely visible or they may be several inches across. Most genital warts are caused by 2 HPV types: HPV 6 and HPV 11. These seldom are linked to cervical cancer and are called "low-risk" types. Other sexually transmitted HPVs have been linked with genital or anal cancers in both men and women.

There is currently no cure or treatment for HPV infection. It is very common to have HPV, but few who do have it will ever develop cervical cancer. Usually the infection disappears without any treatment, because a woman's immune system is able to fight the virus. In the future, HPV problems may disappear, because vaccines have been developed that will prevent infection with HPV. Currently, the FDA has approved one vaccine for use with young women, and others are in development. There is currently no vaccine for men.

HPV infection usually causes no symptoms. However, the warts and abnormal cell growth caused by HPV can be treated effectively.

Precancerous changes in the cervix are diagnosed when abnormal cells are found with a Pap test or biopsy. HPV infection causes changes in cells of the cervix that can be found by the Pap test. New tests can identify HPVs by finding HPV DNA in cells. Many doctors are now testing for HPV if the Pap test result is mildly abnormal. If a high-risk type of HPV is present, they will consider further treatment.

Certain types of sexual behavior increase a woman's risk of getting HPV infection:

• Early age at first intercourse
• Many sexual partners
• Having a partner who has had many sex partners
• Having sex with uncircumcised males

Researchers don't know why, but HPV infection occurs mainly in young women and is less common in women over 30. Uncircumcised men may be more likely to harbor the virus. HPV can be present for years with no symptoms, and HPV infection does not always cause warts or other symptoms. You can be infected with HPV and pass it on without knowing it. Recent studies show that condoms do provide some protection, but cannot completely protect against HPV. This is because HPV can be passed from person to person by skin-to-skin contact on areas not covered by the condom, such as the skin of the genital or anal area. The absence of visible warts cannot be used to decide whether caution is needed, because HPV can be passed to another person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.

Although condoms do not completely protect against HPV, it is still important to use condoms to protect against AIDS and other sexually transmitted illnesses that are passed on through some body fluids.

Although it is necessary to have had HPV for cervical cancer to develop, most women with this virus do not develop cancer. Doctors believe that other factors must come into play for cancer to develop, such as smoking, HIV, chlamydia, dietary issues, multiple pregnancies, family history of cervical cancer, and poverty.

References: American Cancer Society - Risk Factors For Cervical Cancer