Final answer:
The highest risk groups for cervical cancer are those with unprotected sex, multiple partners, early sexual activity, no HPV vaccine, compromised immune systems, and smokers. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer, and regular pap smears reduce the risk but are less accessible in developing countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groups of women that are at the highest risk for acquiring cervical cancer often share common risk factors.
These include behaviors and conditions such as having unprotected sex, a history of multiple sexual partners, an early age of first sexual intercourse, not receiving the HPV vaccine, having a compromised immune system such as from HIV infection, and cigarette smoking.
The chances of developing cervical cancer are significantly higher in those who smoke cigarettes, with studies showing that the risk is doubled for smokers.
Furthermore, HPV infection plays a critical role in the development of cervical cancer, and the presence of other risk factors can exacerbate the risk among those already infected with HPV.
Access to screening also affects a woman's risk of cervical cancer. Regular pap smears are crucial in the early detection and removal of pre-cancerous cells.
However, women in developing countries may not have access to such screenings, which increases their risk. Due to a lack of regular pap smears, women from lower-income regions make up a large percentage of cervical cancer cases globally.