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8 risk factors of cervical cancer that every woman should know!

Knowing the risk factors might help you take the right precaution.

Written by Debjani Arora | Published : February 21, 2018 5:06 PM IST

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Risk Factors Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer has emerged as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths to women in India. According to studies, it’s said that cervical cancer could affect about 80 percent of women under the age of 50. Since Cervical cancer starts occurring when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control, the signs of the condition may only begin to show after it’s reached an advanced stage. This is why it is necessary to know the risk factors so that one can take necessary precautions to prevent an onset. Here Dr Rajni Gupta, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai, tells us about the risk factors of cervical cancer.

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Multiple Sexual Partners:

Multiple sexual partners: Having many sexual partners or becoming sexually active early can make one prone to cervical cancer risk. Since HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, it means having multiple sexual partners only increases the risk of getting infected with the same.

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Multiple Pregnancies

Multiple pregnancies: Women who have had at least three children in separate pregnancies are more likely to develop cervical cancer, compared with women who have never had children.

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Weak Immune System

A weak immune system: The risk is higher in those with HIV or AIDS, and people who have undergone a transplant, necessitating the use of immunosuppressive medications. These women are prone to getting an infection soon and the area in the cervix is an infection-prone zone.  Also Read - Sleep as an Escape: Why you sleep more when life feels overwhelming

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Other STDs

Suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases (STD): Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.

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Rural Dr

Socio-economic status: For some unknown reasons rates of cervical cancer patients appear to be higher in areas where income is low.