Selected Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening

Abstract The article provides a review of literature on risk factors and cofactors for cervical cancer and barriers to cervical cancer screening. Cofactors of cervical cancer are risk factors that contribute to the development of cervical cancer but are not able to generate cancer on their own. Risk factors and cofactors of cervical cancer have been clearly identified in many studies. Therefore cervical cancer is a preventable type of cancer. The aim of this article was to describe in more detail the barriers to cervical cancer screening among women all over the world. The barriers to cervical cancer screening can be sorted according to the results of studies into five main groups: informational, psychological, socio-economic, behavioral and cultural, and geographical. Efforts to reduce risk factors and cofactors of HPV infection and cervical cancer and to increase knowledge about screening are necessary in a positive approach to preventing cervical cancer in society and to promote women’s health.