What are the risk factors for gynecologic cancers?
Risk factors vary for each type of gynecologic cancer. For instance, persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV is a major risk factor for cervical cancer. Family history and genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, heighten the risk for ovarian and breast cancer. Obesity, unopposed estrogen exposure, and age are significant risk factors for endometrial cancer. Smoking, immunosuppression, and previous cancer treatments can increase the risk for vaginal and vulvar cancers.
