Risk Factors
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) encourages everyone to learn about the risk factors associated with gynecologic cancers unique to female reproductive organs.
Risk factors for cervical cancer:
- Almost all cervical cancer is caused by a persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Cervical cancer usually affects women between 30 and 50, but younger women are also at risk
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection
Risk factors for ovarian cancer:
- Risk increases with age, especially around the time of menopause
- Family history of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer or premenopausal breast cancer, or a personal history of premenopausal breast cancer
- Infertility and not bearing children—pregnancy and the use of birth control pills decrease risk
- Family history of both colon and endometrial cancers: any male family member with breast cancer
- Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
Risk factors for uterine/endometrial cancer:
- Taking estrogen alone without progesterone
- Not maintaining a healthy weight
- Late menopause or menopause after age 52
- Diabetes or high blood glucose—too much sugar in the blood
- Not bearing children
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- A family history of endometrial or colon cancer
- Use of tamoxifen—an estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat breast cancer
Risk factors for vaginal cancer:
- Persistent HPV infection
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection
- Risk increases with age, especially 60 years and older
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES)—a hormone medicine used many years ago during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage
Risk factors for vulvar cancer:
- Lichen sclerosis—a chronic skin condition that causes thin, white patches of skin, usually in the genital area
- Persistent HPV infection
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection
