Cervical cancer: Is it genetic? – Medical News Today

Cervical cancer is cancer that develops in the cervix, the part of the body that connects the vaginal canal to the uterus.

The most common types of cervical cancer are not hereditary, meaning a person is not more likely to develop it if a parent or close relative has had the disease. However, some rare types of cervical cancer may have a genetic component. Changes to certain genes, such as the DICER1 gene or STK11 gene, may increase a persons risk of cervical cancer.

This article describes which types of cervical cancer may be hereditary and outlines some familial risk factors for the disease. We also list other risk factors for cervical cancer and provide information on symptoms, prevention, and outlook.

Most common types of cervical cancer are not hereditary. In fact, around 70% of cervical cancers are due to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).

However, some very rare types of cervical cancer can be hereditary, meaning they have a genetic component. In these cases, a person may be at risk of developing such cancers if they have a genetic variant that increases their risk of developing cervical cancer or a first-degree relative with cervical cancer linked to a genetic cause.

If multiple people on one side of a persons family have cervical cancer, a doctor may recommend they have additional screening tests or more regular screening for cervical cancer.

If doctors notice a trend in cancer types among family members, they may recommend additional screening or even hereditary cancer screening. This can help discover genetic trends or risk factors for cancer.

Having a risk factor for cervical cancer does not mean that a person will develop the disease, only that they are at increased risk of doing so.

There are two main genetic risk factors for cervical cancer: DICER1 syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS).

DICER1 syndrome is a rare genetic condition causing changes in the DICER1 gene. It is a risk factor for hereditary cancer types in children and young adults.

Having DICER1 gene variations may increase the risk of a rare type of cervical cancer called cervical embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and other sarcomas of the cervix.

While many problems that stem from the DICER1 gene appear in childhood, about 33% of cervical ERMS cases occur in people over the age of 20.

PJS is a genetic condition that causes changes in a tumor-suppressing gene called STK11. The condition causes noncancerous growths called polyps to appear in the gastrointestinal tract. It also increases the risk of some cancer types, including cervical cancer.

PJS may have an association with some more rare cancer types, such as minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA). This cancer type accounts for around 13% of cervical adenocarcinomas, a less common type of cervical cancer.

There are a number of other important risk factors for cervical cancer besides genetics. These include:

There are many types of HPV infection. Some do not increase the risk of cervical cancer, while others may cause changes in the cervix that could develop into cervical cancer over time. Two types of HPV, HPV 16 and 18, cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers.

Doctors recommend regular screening tests to check for HPV infections in anyone between 2565 years of age with a cervix.

Having several sexual partners or having sex with someone who has many sexual partners may be a risk factor for cervical cancer. A person with a higher number of sexual partners may have a greater chance of exposure to HPV, the major cause of most cervical cancers.

Taking oral contraceptives for extended lengths of time may be a risk factor for cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the risk may increase the longer a person takes the pill but decreases when they stop. Once a person has stopped taking the pill for many years, their risk level returns to normal.

Autoimmune diseases can make it difficult for the body to fight off infections and illness. Therefore, having an autoimmune disorder may be a risk factor for cancer, including cervical cancer.

Smoking and tobacco use increases the risk of cancer developing anywhere in the body, including the cervix.

Tobacco smoke contains at least 70 cancer-causing chemicals. Quitting tobacco use can reduce a persons risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases.

Anyone having trouble quitting smoking should speak with a doctor for information and advice.

People from low income areas may lack sufficient access to medical care that reduces their risk of cervical cancer. This may include difficulty getting regular screening for HPV and cervical cancer and difficulty accessing vaccines and medications for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

People with early stage cervical cancers typically do not notice any signs or symptoms. However, a doctor may still be able to detect early stage cervical cancer through screening tests. This is why regular cervical screening is so important.

Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer usually only occur once cancer has grown in size or has spread to nearby tissues. At this stage, the most common symptoms are:

The above signs and symptoms can also be due to conditions other than cervical cancer. However, anyone who experiences one or more of these symptoms should contact a doctor for a cervical exam.

Below are some preventive measures people can take to help reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.

Getting an HPV vaccine may protect against the types of HPV associated with cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for everyone up to age 26. People aged 2745 years should speak with a doctor about their risk of contracting new HPV infections and the potential benefits of receiving a vaccination.

Doctors may recommend screening for cervical cancer using cervical exams, Pap smear tests, and HPV tests every 35 years.

Regular screening can help detect precancerous cervical cells. These are abnormal cervical cells that are not yet cancerous but have the potential to become cancerous if left untreated. Detecting and treating these cells can help prevent cervical cancer in some cases.

Regular screening also helps to detect early stage cervical cancers. Treating cervical cancer in its early stages can help improve a persons outlook.

In some cases, changing certain sexual behaviors may help reduce the risk of HPV. Potential changes include:

There is no guarantee that making the above changes will prevent cervical cancer, but they may reduce a persons risk.

No matter how long a person has smoked, quitting smoking and tobacco use may help reduce their risk of cancer, including cancer of the cervix.

Thanks to regular screening, doctors can detect and treat cervical precancer and cancer earlier. Advances in treatments are also improving the outlook for people with the disease.

According to the ACS, the 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer from 20102016 across all disease stages was 66%. During the same period, the 5-year relative survival rate for localized cervical cancers that had not spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes was 92%. The difference in these statistics emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of cervical precancer and cancer.

The most common types of cervical cancer are not hereditary. HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer. A person typically acquires HPV through sexual contact with someone who carries the virus.

However, some very rare forms of cervical cancer may have a genetic component. Changes to the DICER1 gene or STK11 gene may increase a persons risk of developing the disease. Anyone with a family history of cervical cancer related to genetics should speak with a doctor about screening.

Regular screening for cervical cancer can help doctors detect and treat precancerous cervical cells, which may help prevent the cells from developing into cancer. Regular screening also allows doctors to detect early stage cervical cancer. This is important since treating cancer in its early stages is associated with better outcomes.

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Cervical cancer: Is it genetic? - Medical News Today