Hi

Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX

There are many factors that have been found to play a role in development of cancer. Some of them are modifiable but others are not. The non-modifiable factors include age, sex, family history, geography and environmental factors. Since we cannot modify these factors, its not worthy to worry about them.

Modifiable factors include personal habits like tobacco use, etc, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, air pollution, indoor smoke, contaminated needles in healthcare setting, etc. HPV is a virus that is implicated in cervical cancer and there is a vaccine called as gardasil or cervarix to protect against it.

Modifying these risk factors may help. Mostly the cause will be more than one factor. Sometimes the cause will be unknown. Mostly it si better to take your precautions, lead a healthy lifestyle and stop worrying.

Let me know if you need further clarification.

Dr Vaishalee

---