Tuesday May 13, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in the International Journal of Cancer suggests tobacco smoking can double the risk of cervical cancer, compared with non-smoking even after adjustment for a known risk factor human papillomavirus (HPV).

Doctors consider HPV the major risk factor for cervical cancer.  Other environmental risk factors are not as well known.

The current study led by Xavier Castellsagué, affiliated with the Cancer Epidemiology Research Program (CERP) in Catalonia, Spain was to establish an association between tobacco smoking and the risk of cervical cancer based on data from 308,036 women from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

At baseline, a questionnaire was administered and blood samples were tested.  Participants were followed for nine years during which 261 invasive cervical cancer (ICC) cases and 804 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 3 (CIN3)/carcinoma in situ (CIS) (CIN3/CIS) cases were identified.

Tobacco smoking was found associated 2-fold increased risk of CIN3/CIS and ICC while quitting was correlated with a two-fold reduced risk of cervical cancer. 

In a nested case–control study, consistent correlations were also observed even after adjustment for HPV, CT and HHV-2 serostatus. 

The researchers concluded "Results from this large prospective study confirm the role of tobacco smoking as an important risk factor for both CIN3/CIS and ICC (invasive cervical cancer), even after taking into account HPV exposure as determined by HPV serology."

The study suggests HPV is not the only risk factor for cervical cancer. At least tobacco smoking  may also increase the risk significantly.

Cervical cancer is relatively rare, compared with other types of gynecological cancers.  Woemn are more likely to get killed by a traffic incident than this cancer. (David Liu)

(Send your news to foodconsumer.org@gmail.com)