Risk factors for cervical cancer: An epidemiological review

Cervical cancer is one of the most common female genital cancers. It accounts for about half of the one million new cases and one-quarter of all cancer deaths in women. The present study was designed to comprehensively identify the risk factors of cervical cancer using the results of similar studies.

The present study was an epidemiological review study. Searches related to the epidemiology and risk factors of cervical cancer between April 2020 and May 2020 were conducted by two researchers at four Latin scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed / Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science). The two researchers examined the extracted articles and included articles that referred to the epidemiology and risk factors of cervical cancer.

The most important risk factors for cervical cancer  included human papillomavirus, viral, fungal and bacterial infections, sexual behavior, smoking, pregnancy and childbirth, and other factors (family history and menopause earlier than 45 years).

It is recommended that  health issues should be considered, especially during sexual intercourse, HPV screening in women, as well as periodic examinations for women.