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Risk Factors for Common Gynecologic Cancers

Posted: May 1, 2009

• Human papillomaviruses (HPVs): HPV infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix. HPV infections are very common. These viruses can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. These changes can lead to genital warts, cancer and other problems. Doctors may check for HPV even if there are no warts or other symptoms. The Pap test can detect cell changes in the cervix caused by HPV. Treating precancerous cervical changes often prevents cancer.
• Weakened immune system (the body's natural defense system): Women with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) infection or who take drugs that suppress the immune system have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. For these women, doctors suggest regular screening for cervical cancer.
• Age: Cancer of the cervix occurs most often in women over the age of 40.
• Smoking cigarettes: Women with an HPV infection who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of cervical cancer than women with HPV infection who do not smoke.
• Using birth control pills for a long time: Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years) may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.
• Having many children: Studies suggest that giving birth to many children may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.

• Family history of cancer: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum may also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Personal history of cancer: Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
• Age over 55: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
• Never pregnant: Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Menopausal hormone therapy: Some studies have suggested that women who take estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

• Age. Cancer of the uterus occurs mostly in women over age 50.
• Endometrial hyperplasia. The risk of uterine cancer is higher if a woman has endometrial hyperplasia.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is used to control the symptoms of menopause, to prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), and to reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.

• Obesity and related conditions. The body makes some of its estrogen in fatty tissue. That's why obese women are more likely than thin women to have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies. High levels of estrogen may be the reason that obese women have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer. The risk of this disease is also higher in women with diabetes or high blood pressure (conditions that occur in many obese women).
• Tamoxifen. Women taking the drug tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer have an increased risk of uterine cancer. This risk appears to be related to the estrogen-like effect of this drug on the uterus. Doctors monitor women taking tamoxifen for possible signs or symptoms of uterine cancer.
• Race. White women are more likely than African-American women to get uterine cancer.
• Colorectal cancer. Women who have had an inherited form of colorectal cancer have a higher risk of developing uterine cancer than other women.

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