Cervical cancer begins in the tissues and cells of the cervix. The cervix is a hollow cylinder, which annexes the uterus’s lower end to the vagina. Usually, cervical cancer starts in the cells, which are found on the cervix’s surface. In American women, cervical cancer once used to be the primary cause of death. It has changed over time as screening tests are widely prevalent now.

Here are some risk factors and causes of cervical cancer.

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
One of the key causes of cervical cancer is HPV infection. HPV is prevalent, and most people who become infected with HPV happen to clear the virus sans any complications. There are more than a hundred different kinds of HPV strains, and not all are cancer-related. The two most prevalent kinds of HPV strains associated with cervical cancer include HPV18 and HPV16.

2. Sexual interaction with multiple partners
The communication of cervical cancer-causing HPV types always occurs as an outcome of a sexual encounter with an individual with HPV. When a woman has more than a few sexual partners, she is at a greater risk of developing an HPV infection. Consequently, the susceptibility of developing cancer is more.

3. Smoking
Women who smoke are exposed to several cancer-causing chemicals. These can hamper organs other than the lungs. Such harmful substances are absorbed via the lungs and are transported in the blood across the body. 

In women who smoke, the risk of developing cervical cancer is two times more than women who do not smoke. In a study involving women who smoke, the cervical mucus showed the presence of tobacco by-products. Research suggests that tobacco can damage the cervix cells’ DNA. Further, it may also result in cervical cancer development. Additionally, smoking also weakens the immune system and makes it less effective at fighting HPV infections. 

4. A weak immune system
When you have certain kinds of immune system deficiencies, your risk of developing cervical cancer and HPV infection is high. The two key causes of immune system deficiency are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and consuming immunosuppressant drugs. These drugs are usually taken to cure autoimmune diseases or following an organ transplant. If your immune system does not function well, it heightens your susceptibility to developing infections, such as HPV. This makes it challenging for you to curtail their growth and combat cancer cells. 

5. Taking birth control pills
The long-term consumption of certain contraceptive pills also aggravates your risk of developing cervical cancer.

6. Other sexually transmitted diseases
Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia also heighten your risk of developing cervical cancer. 

7. Socio-economic status
The risk of cervical cancer is higher in areas where income levels are low.