FYI FRIENDS AND FAMILY! EDUCATE YOURSELF! You also might be AT RISK OF CERVICAL CANCER if you are:

1. Smokers/Secondhand smoke exposure – women who smoke are twice as likely to get cervical cancer compared to non-smokers. This could be due to effects of tobacco and its chemicals on cervical cells.

2.. Those with a weak immune system – this includes HIV positive patients and women after an organ transplant who are taking immunosuppressants to stop the body rejecting donated organs.

3. Oral contraceptive pills use for over 5 years may raise the risk of cervical cancer.

4. Women who have two children have twice the risk of getting cervical cancer compared to women who do not have any children. This is an unclear association. Some speculate that the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy could make the cervix more vulnerable to the effects of HPV. Multiple pregnancies also raise the risk of cervical cancer.

5. Co-infections with HIV infection, Chlamydia infection.

6. Exposure to hormonal drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) raises the risk of vaginal and cervical cancer.

7. Those with a family history of cervical cancer are more at risk of getting this cancer. There is a possible genetic risk associated with HLA-B7.

8. Sexually active heterosexual women.

9. Women who have multiple sexual partners or have a promiscuous male sexual partner