Which of the following is a risk factor for cervical cancer?

Which of the following is a risk factor for cervical cancer?

• A. HPV infection
• B. Regular exercise
• C. Gardasil 9 vaccination
• D. Annual mammography

Answer: (A)

High-risk HPV infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. When a high-risk HPV infection becomes persistent, it can drive progression from normal cervical epithelium to precancerous changes and, over years, to invasive cancer. The virus produces E6 and E7 oncoproteins that disable key tumor suppressors like p53 and Rb, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and genetic instability. Most HPV infections clear on their own, but persistent infection with types such as 16 and 18 carries the highest risk of progression. Vaccination with Gardasil 9 protects against several of these high-risk types and substantially lowers risk. Regular exercise is not a risk factor for cervical cancer, and annual mammography is a screening tool for breast cancer, not cervical cancer.

High-risk HPV infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. When a high-risk HPV infection becomes persistent, it can drive progression from normal cervical epithelium to precancerous changes and, over years, to invasive cancer. The virus produces E6 and E7 oncoproteins that disable key tumor suppressors like p53 and Rb, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and genetic instability. Most HPV infections clear on their own, but persistent infection with types such as 16 and 18 carries the highest risk of progression. Vaccination with Gardasil 9 protects against several of these high-risk types and substantially lowers risk. Regular exercise is not a risk factor for cervical cancer, and annual mammography is a screening tool for breast cancer, not cervical cancer.