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Other factors

Other factors that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer include the following

• Smoking. Chemicals from cigarettes get into the bloodstream and can affect cells throughout the body. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop certain cancers, including cervical cancer. In particular, if you smoke and have HPV infection, the risk is compounded. (Chemicals from smoking may affect the immune system in some way to make you less resistant to the damaging effects of HPV.)
• A poor immune system. For example, people with AIDS or people taking immunosuppressant medication have an increased risk. (The immune system helps to protect against HPV, and helps to destroy cells which become abnormal. If your immune system is not working fully, you are less able to deal with HPV infection and abnormal cells, and you are more at risk of developing cervical cancer.)
• Using the contraceptive pill for five or more years.
• Having five or more children.
• Previous exposure to various sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

You may have no symptoms at first when the tumour is small. As the tumour becomes larger, in most cases the first symptom to develop is abnormal vaginal bleeding such as:

• Bleeding between normal periods (intermenstrual bleeding).
• Bleeding after having sex (post coital bleeding).
• Any vaginal bleeding in women past the menopause.

An early symptom in some cases is a vaginal discharge, or pain when having sex.

All of the above symptoms can be caused by various other common conditions. But if you develop any of these symptoms, you should have it checked out by a doctor.

In time, if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, various other symptoms can develop.

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