Can an Underwear-Washing Habit Cause Cervical Cancer? Here’s What Medical Experts Actually Say

  • screening methods

Early detection is extremely important because abnormal cells can often be treated before they develop into cancer.

Other Factors That Can Increase Risk

HPV is the primary cause, but other factors can increase the likelihood that an HPV infection will persist or contribute to cervical cancer.

These may include:

Smoking

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer and can affect the body’s ability to deal with HPV infection.

A Weakened Immune System

People with weakened immune systems may have more difficulty clearing persistent HPV infections.