Final answer:
The strongest risk factor for HPV persistence and progression to pre-cancer is the HPV infection itself, specifically the high-risk strains HPV 16 and HPV 18. Other risk factors include smoking, a weakened immune system, use of birth control pills, becoming sexually active at a young age, and having many sexual partners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strongest risk factor for HPV persistence and progression to pre-cancer is HPV infection itself. More than 90 percent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, specifically the high-risk strains HPV 16 and HPV 18. These strains have been linked to more than 70 percent of all cervical cancer diagnoses.
Other risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, a weakened immune system, use of birth control pills, becoming sexually active at a young age, and having many sexual partners. However, these risk factors are less important than HPV infection and are more likely to increase the risk of cervical cancer in individuals who are already infected with HPV.