The 2015 China Cancer Report shows that the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer are on the rise. And with the news of China’s approval of HPV vaccine, cervical cancer is once again receiving public attention. Cervical cancer is a cancer that is completely preventable and curable after early detection. High risk factors for cervical cancer 1. HPV infection Human papillomavirus HPV is the number one risk factor for cervical cancer. the most common mode of transmission of HPV is sexual transmission (but not the only mode of transmission), according to statistics, about 80% of people who have sex will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. does it mean that all these people will get cervical cancer? Not really. On the one hand, there are more than 200 types of HPV, and only a few subtypes are considered “high-risk groups” for cervical cancer, such as types 16 and 18. On the other hand, the body can clear 90% of HPV infections on its own, and this portion does not continue to progress. However, after a small number of people are infected with HPV, the virus will slowly change the cervical cells, which will lead to cancer in the long run. 2. Long-term oral contraceptives Oral contraceptives for five years or more can increase the incidence of cervical cancer. Researchers speculate that common ingredients in birth control pills, such as estrogen and progesterone, may make cervical cells more susceptible to HPV infection, affecting the ability of cervical cells to clear the infection and leading to abnormal cellular changes. 3. Smoking Smoking can be associated not only with lung cancer, but also increases the risk of cervical cancer in women. Studies have confirmed that women who smoke are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as non-smokers. Although the mechanism between smoking and cervical cancer is not well understood, researchers speculate that it is related to the harmful substances in tobacco that damage the DNA of cervical cells. 4.Low immunity Low immunity makes it difficult for the body to clear HPV infection and precancerous lesions will develop more quickly into invasive breast cancer. Patients with low immunity usually have two kinds: one is suffering from immunodeficiency disease, and the other is suffering from tumor or autoimmune disease and taking immunosuppressive drugs for treatment. These female patients must pay more attention to regular screening. 5.History of high-risk sexual life High-risk sexual behavior such as multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of HPV and cervical cancer. 6. Not eating fruits and vegetables Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which can help the body prevent and fight against HPV infection. Since cervical cancer is more common in low-income women, there is a theory that it is related to the fact that they rarely eat fresh fruits and vegetables and have an unhealthy diet, which also suggests that we should maintain good eating habits in our lives. How exactly do I get screened for cervical cancer? Internationally, it is recommended that women aged 21 to 29 should undergo cervical cytology screening every 3 years. Double screening with cytology + HPV test is recommended over 30 years old, or once every 5 years if the test is negative for multiple times. If no lesions above CIN2 have been detected, screening until age 65 is sufficient. Women with high-risk factors need to be screened more frequently as appropriate. Although the current status of cervical cancer screening in China may not meet international standards, it is still recommended that women who are able to do so should be screened according to the above criteria. In addition, HPV vaccine is also an effective measure to prevent cervical cancer and is expected to be one of the main means of prevention in the future after its official launch in China.