HPV and Cervical Cancer
Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, a virus most commonly spread through skin-to-skin contact during intercourse. The HPV virus is associated with at lease six types of cancers in men and women.
HPV is so common that most people will get it at some point in their lives. It’s important to know that HPV does not usually cause any symptoms, so you can not tell if you have it. For most people, HPV will go away on its own; however, some people will experience a persistent HPV infection that , over time, may cause cervical cancer.
Other things that may increase your risk of cervical cancer:
*Smoking
*Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years)
*Giving birth to three or more children
*Having multiple sexual partners
*Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight health problems.
