Cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix is referred to as cervical cancer. There are different strains of the human papillomavirus that can be responsible for causing the condition. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors for cervical cancer help with timely treatment and may even help prevent it.

Symptoms of cervical cancer
In its early stages, cervical cancer might not cause any symptoms. Once it reaches an advanced stage, however, the signs cannot be mistaken or ignored anymore. They mostly include the following.

• Bleeding from the vagina after intercourse
• Vagina bleeding occurring between the menstrual cycle or post menopause
• A watery, malodorous discharge from the vagina. The discharge can also be bloody and heavy
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Pain caused during intercourse

Having any of these symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of cervical cancer
Usually, the cause of cervical cancer is a prolonged infection caused by human papillomavirus. The infection is common and most people suffering from it do not develop cancer. There at least 100 types of human papillomaviruses and only certain types of the viruses are associated with cancers. Usually, the viruses lead to warts that are benign and can be seen on the skin of the genital area. Only high-risk viruses have been associated with cervical cancer and penile cancer.

Besides this, human papillomaviruses can also be responsible for cancers of the throat, mouth, and anus.

An infection caused due to the virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or through sexual contact.

The viral infections, in most cases, get cured on their own. However, sometimes in women, the infection can stay for long and lead to precancerous changes in the cervical cells. These are the changes that can be easily detected during the screening of cervical cancer, also known as Pap testing.

Although the genetic reasons behind cervical cancer are not known, it can be passed on from one generation to the next. Females who have a mother or a sister with a history of cervical cancer are at a greater risk of developing the condition. It is yet to be determined if this tendency of cervical cancer running in the family is due to an inherited condition that puts some women at a higher risk of infections caused by human papillomaviruses.

Risk factors for cervical cancer
Not everyone who gets infected by human papillomavirus suffers from cancer; it is important to know that there are certain factors that make some people more vulnerable than others. These factors include:

• Smoking
• Suppression of the immune system
• HIV infection
• A history of chlamydia infection
• Obesity or overweight
• Use of oral contraceptives for a long duration
• Having three more pregnancies
• Having a complete pregnancy before 17
• Family history