Top 10 Most Common Causes of Cervical Cancer

1. HPV Infection

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the primary culprit, accounting for 70% of cervical cancer cases. There are estimated to be over 100 different types of HPV viruses, with 40 types capable of causing diseases in the anal area, genital tract, and 15 types listed as particularly dangerous to health, with the highest risk of causing cancer. Long-term HPV infection disrupts the genetic structure of epithelial cells in the cervix, leading to their transformation and the development of cancer. In addition to causing cervical cancer, HPV is also responsible for genital warts, a prevalent sexually transmitted disease that poses a significant health burden in communities today.

According to the 'National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer for the period 2016 - 2025' by the Ministry of Health, up to 80% of Vietnamese women are at risk of HPV infection (the primary cause of cervical cancer) at least once in their lifetime. The highest infection rates occur in the 20-30 age group, reaching up to 20-25%. A concerning statistic is that on average, Vietnam sees about 14 new cases of cervical cancer every day, with 7 deaths. This number is two to three times higher than the deaths due to pregnancy-related complications (pregnancy and childbirth). Globally, the number of deaths from cervical cancer far exceeds those from causes such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.

2. Smoking

Cigarettes are the leading cause of many dangerous cancers in humans, especially lung cancer, throat cancer, liver cancer... However, few know that cigarettes and cigarette smoke can also triple the risk of cervical cancer in women, especially those infected with HPV. According to health experts, smoking is closely related to cervical cancer. Although the main cause of cervical cancer is HPV, many studies have shown that some types of HPV can combine with carcinogens in cigarettes to facilitate the development of cancer cells.

Moreover, passive smokers (inhaling cigarette smoke from others) also have a higher risk of cervical cancer than others. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that inhaling cigarette smoke for more than 3 hours a day can triple the risk of cervical cancer. Researchers concluded that to prevent cervical cancer, women in general, especially those infected with HPV, should not smoke or should quit smoking as early as possible.

Cervical cancer is not a sexually transmitted disease, so women with cervical cancer do not need to worry about spreading the disease. However, HPV - the virus related to about 99% of all cervical cancer cases, is a sexually transmitted virus. Therefore, cervical cancer is not transmitted once contracted, but if one has HPV, it can spread. HPV can be transmitted through any type of sexual intercourse in both men and women, but in women, the virus poses a greater risk. Experts say that early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, poor post-coital hygiene, frequent childbirth, contracting sexually transmitted infections, smoking, excessive use of contraceptives, stress... all increase the likelihood of HPV infection.

Unsafe sexual practices, multiple sexual partners are the shortest path to transmitting various disease-causing viruses, including HPV, thereby increasing the cancer-causing potential of HPV. Women with promiscuous sexual lifestyles, indiscriminate relationships, and lack of condom use during intercourse are most susceptible to cervical cancer. Therefore, being faithful to one partner, using protection during intercourse, and avoiding intimate contact with individuals with sexually transmitted diseases are the best ways to protect oneself.

The immune system acts as a protective fortress against the invasion of pathogens, including viruses that cause cervical cancer. If the immune system is too weak or compromised for any reason, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer is very high. Women infected with HIV or using certain immunosuppressive drugs are prime targets for cervical cancer. The body's immune system plays a crucial role in fighting against invading pathogens as well as in destroying cancer cells and precancerous cells. Therefore, maintaining health and enhancing the immune system is essential to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Experts have identified the primary cause of this disease as the human papillomavirus (HPV). Up to 99% of cervical cancer cases are infected with this virus, with HPV types 16 and 18 being more common, accounting for about 70% of cases. The main route of HPV transmission is through sexual contact in various forms such as vaginal, anal, oral sex, as well as direct skin-to-skin contact. A staggering statistic is that about 80% of women will contract HPV at least once in their lifetime at some point.

Currently, this issue remains uncertain. However, there is some specific evidence indicating that if someone in your family has had cervical cancer, your risk of facing this disease is higher than those from families with no history of the illness.

Cervical cancer is usually not hereditary. The cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, some studies suggest that if the mother has had cervical cancer, the child is more likely to develop this disease than normal.

6. History of Gynecological or Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The cervix measures about 5cm long, situated between the uterus and the vagina, serving as the first line of defense against sexually transmitted diseases. The opening of the cervix connects to the vagina and is covered by a thin layer of tissue formed by cells. Cervical cancer is a malignant condition of the cervical spike or glandular epithelium, forming when cells in the cervix develop abnormally, creating a tumor within the cervix, multiplying uncontrollably, invading surrounding areas, and potentially metastasizing to other parts of the body.

Individuals with certain gynecological conditions such as cervical inflammation, cervical glandular inflammation, pelvic inflammation, vaginal inflammation, or those affected by sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or genital warts, if not promptly treated, these conditions may become chronic or metastasize into cells that cause cervical cancer. Therefore, to ensure health and safety, women need to enhance their understanding of prevention and treatment methods for gynecological or sexually transmitted diseases to eliminate the risk of cervical cancer.

7. Prolonged Stress

Scientists do not confirm that stress causes cancer. However, prolonged stress can weaken the immune system, lead to other pathological conditions, deteriorate health, and increase the risk of cancer. Many studies have indicated that individuals with chronic stress often experience digestive problems, reproductive issues, urinary problems, and weakened immune systems. This group is also prone to viral infections such as flu or headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, etc. The correlation between psychological stress and cancer can arise in certain cases. For example, individuals under stress often develop certain behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, lack of exercise, which increase the risk of cancer. Moreover, this group often has a lower quality of life during cancer treatment.

Women who frequently experience prolonged stress, anxiety, and restlessness are more susceptible to cervical cancer than normal individuals. Therefore, it is important to maintain an optimistic outlook, love life, avoid anxiety and worries to have a cheerful life and avoid cervical cancer. Women who work excessively, experience prolonged stress, or lack leisure time are the most susceptible group to cervical cancer. Additionally, American researchers have also affirmed that stress spreads cancer cells in various ways. Specifically, stress-induced hormones deactivate the anoikis process (the process of destroying and preventing the spread of cancer cells). Moreover, chronic stress promotes the production of growth factors that increase blood supply, accelerating the development of malignant tumors.

8. Early Childbearing

With the current modern lifestyle, early childbearing has become a alarming issue for both parents and society. Bearing a child before 17, when the reproductive organs are not fully developed and individuals lack proper reproductive and postnatal hygiene knowledge, leads to a significant risk of gynecological diseases or cervical cancer.

During adolescence, the body is not yet fully developed, thus, teenage pregnancies pose health, psychological, and lifestyle challenges. Additionally, there is a risk of facing serious health issues such as cervical cancer. Therefore, parents need to closely monitor and support their daughters, providing guidance on safe contraceptive methods to prevent them from falling into this tragedy.

9. Overuse of Birth Control Pills

To avoid unforeseen incidents while embracing the modern sexual liberation mindset, birth control pills are considered the optimal, cost-effective, and efficient solution. However, this leads to a phenomenon where women innocently misuse birth control pills without consulting a specialist, unaware that improper usage carries a significant risk of cervical cancer. Numerous scientific studies have proven that the primary cause of cervical cancer is HPV infection. However, besides this main cause, experts also warn of other factors that increase the likelihood of contracting this dangerous disease. One such factor is the overuse of birth control pills.

According to a study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, and Cancer Research UK, compared to the group that never used birth control pills, the risk of cervical cancer in women who used contraceptive pills was higher by 10% if the duration of use was 5 years or less, higher by 60% if used for 9 years, and doubled if used for over 10 years. Similarly, PGS-TS Pham Duy Hien, former Deputy Director of K Central Hospital, stated that women infected with HPV who used oral contraceptives for 5 to 9 years had a threefold higher risk of cancer than those who did not use them. For women who took birth control pills for over 10 years, the risk was four times higher than those who did not.

10. Chronic Cervical Inflammation

Chronic cervical inflammation is a gynecological condition that currently poses an alarming rate of occurrence among women in our country. Particularly, if chronic cervical inflammation is not detected early by women and treated promptly according to medical guidance, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer increases. If chronic cervical inflammation is not promptly addressed, it can lead to more evident symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge with a foul odor, sometimes mixed with blood; swollen, painful, reddened genital area; abnormal vaginal bleeding, and so forth.

This condition often occurs in women of reproductive age. If left untreated and progresses to the chronic stage, it can lead to increased infertility, miscarriage, and even, more dangerously, cervical cancer. Many cases are diagnosed late, and if complications of cervical cancer arise, treatment becomes increasingly challenging. Therefore, in cases where women suspect symptoms of chronic cervical inflammation or have already contracted the disease, timely medical intervention from leading healthcare facilities by top medical experts is essential to prevent health complications, and even death.