E85: The Environmental Domain of Pap Smears

Roughly 90% of cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), yet not everyone exposed to the virus develops disease—why? The answer lies partly in the body's environment. From immune health to smoking habits and hormonal exposure, the internal conditions HPV encounters play a key role in whether the virus is cleared or progresses to cancer.

In the environmental domain of Pap smears, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore how the body’s physical environment influences HPV infection and cervical cancer risk. They break down how smoking, immune suppression, birth control use, and even early-life exposures shape the body's response to the virus.