Cervical cancer is the third leading cancer in women, and more than 90 percent of the cases have been linked to HPV, the study reported.

Different unknown agents working with the papillomavirus contribute to cervical cancer, but discovering specific agents has been a struggle, said Justin McCormick, an MSU microbiology and biochemistry professor.

“We didn’t know what the other agents are, but we suspected they were carcinogenic,” McCormick said.

“The important issue is none of the (HPV) by themselves cause cancer … so it’s not surprising that cigarette smoke plays a role.”

The carcinogen linked to cervical cancer is benzo(a)pyrene, an ingredient in cigarettes.

Penn State researchers recently exposed lab-grown cervical tissue to tobacco carcinogens and noticed significant cancer growth.

“We found that the tobacco carcinogen actually increases the ability of the virus to replicate by tenfold,” said Craig Meyers, head investigator in the study and a microbiology and immunology professor at Penn State.

Meyers said the research provides insight into other cancers brought on by smoking.

“It just strengthens the idea that smoking can be associated with cervical cancer and it’s a different way to look at things,” Meyers said.

“Women who are at risk should stop smoking and be vaccinated.”

Smoking is a growing trend in cancers in the U.S., McCormick said, as one-third of cancers in the country are caused by cigarettes.

“This is not a surprising finding, but it does emphasize that one should not smoke,” he said.

Students looking to give up smoking should be persistent, said Jodi Holtrop, an MSU associate professor of family medicine who conducts research on quitting.

“Keep trying. Most people have to make multiple attempts,” Holtrop said. “It’s a learning process and takes continual training.”