cervical cancer

the bottom line

Women who smoke have a higher risk of cancer of the cervix than other women do. This might be due to smoking increasing a woman's susceptibility to a sexually transmitted virus.

just the facts

• Cancer of the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is a relatively common type of cancer; about 12,000 women a year in the U.S. get this disease, and about 4,000 die from it.
• Experts estimate that about 30% of deaths from cervical cancer are due to smoking. (1)

Sources
1. Brinton LA. Editorial commentary: smoking and cervical cancer -- current status. American Journal of Epidemiology 1990;131:958-960.

explanation

Cancer of the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is a relatively common type of cancer; about 12,000 women a year in the U.S. get this disease, and about 4,000 die from it. Women who smoke have a higher risk of cancer of the cervix than other women do. The risk is greatest for women who have smoked many cigarettes per day for a long time. Experts estimate that about 30% of deaths from cervical cancer are due to smoking. (1)

Scientists have learned that a sexually transmitted virus plays a role in causing many cases of cervical cancer. One way in which smoking may increase a woman's risk of cancer of the cervix is by increasing her susceptibility to this virus. Substances from cigarette smoke may also affect the cervix directly. Researchers have found cancer-causing substances from tobacco in the mucus on the cervix.