The cause of cervical cancer is unknown. One of the factors for cervical cancer is infection with a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). There is a strong association with certain subtypes of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for the squamous cell carcinoma cervical cancers. HPV is passed on through sex and it is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, almost all cervical cancers have evidence of HPV virus in them, so infection is a major risk.
Another possible cause is the oral contraceptive pill. In contraception methods, there may have a direct harmful effect such as the hormonal influence of the pill, and the others are such as the barrier methods may actually have a protective effect. Continuous use of oral contraceptives has been shown in several researches to be connected to cervical abnormalities. (McPherson and Waller, 1998, p. 387-388).
Dolinsky believes that “Another important risk factor for developing cervical cancer is smoking” (Dolinsky, 2002, p. 2). Women who smoke are twice more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-smokers. McPherson and Waller point out that “There are no published laboratory findings establishing a direct effect of smoking on cervical cancer cells, although it has been suggested that this is possible as… (2) Nicotine and cotinine have been detected in the cervical fluid of smokers; (3) chemical carcinogens can enhance the in vitro carcinogenicity of certain viruses.” (McPherson and Waller, 1998, p. 389).