[Risk factors of cervical cancer and possibilities of primary prevention].

Cancer of the cervix uteri is one of the few malignancies with identified necessary etiological factor and described steps of its development. Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the etiological factor of cervical cancer. Despite the fact that HPV infections are one of the most frequent in female reproductive tract, they rarely cause premalignant conditions which, if untreated, may lead to development of cervical cancer. Attempts of primary prevention of cervical cancer through reduction of HPV infections by propagation of proper sexual behaviour and use of condoms have limited efficacy. At present the most effective form of cervical cancer primary prevention are prophylactic vaccines against two most common HPV types: 16 and 18, which are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases in the world.