Am I at risk of cervical cancer?

[Cinderella58]

I am nearly 16 years old and I know that cervical cancer only usually occurs in women of 25 years and above.

However I have read in a magazine that some of the things that might cause cervical cancer are: being sexually active from a young age; as the cervical cells are more fragile in a young woman than in a more mature woman, and not wearing condoms during intercourse as this puts pressure on the cervix.

I lost my virginity when I was 14 and have been sexually active with the same partner since, but don't use condoms (I am on the depo provera injection, so I won't get pregnant). Does this make it possible that I could get cervical cancer at a really young age, and also will starting to use condoms now help decrease the chances?

[woofgang]

Are you or have you been screened for cervical cancer? Cinderella, assuming that you are living in the UK, your partner's behaviour is illegal, so how did you get a depo injection? Could you talk to the person you got it from about your concerns. On re reading this it does sound very judgemental, honestly that is not my intent but I think that you should be talking to someone about your sexual health and lifestyle generally

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.

[tracymort]

I think it's very mature she is thinking about these things.  Trouble is i wouldn't just be worrying about cervical cancer but std's too.  one std is the one that causes many cases of cervical cancer.  There are rarely symptoms, condoms don't even stop it and many many people have been exposed to it and don't know!  It's called HPV.  You also should worry about the others, Chlamydia is on the rise for example. Might be worth you both getting checked out to ease your mind.  I think if i was starting out with someone knew i'd probably want us both tested before getting rid of condoms seeing how much is going about.  This site looks pretty good for advice http://www.playingsafely.co.uk/

[Ouisch]

There are other factors involved in cervical cancer, of course, and those you've mentioned are just a few that doctors say *can* increase your risk (not necessarily *will*).  Early detection is your best protection, so if you're concerned (or if you have a history of cancer in your family), you can ask your doctor to do an annual Pap smear.