- According to the Mayo Foundation for Education and Research, about 10,000 women are affected with cervical cancer in this county every year. Since cervical cancer is both serious and life-threatening, all women should be aware of the common risk factors that are associated with this disease. Fortunately, there are ways to significantly reduce your chances of becoming infected with cervical cancer, but you must educate yourself about this disease, take care of your body and use the proper prevention techniques.
- Research proves that there are several important risk factors for cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the main risk factor for cervical cancer is being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV infection is actually an STD (sexually transmitted disease), which is spread from person-to-person through unprotected sexual contact or intercourse. Other risk factors for cervical cancer include cigarette smoking; prolonged use of oral contraceptives (longer than five years); having multiple pregnancies; being overweight; being infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) because it weakens the immune system; having a current or previous Chlamydia infection (STD); and not getting regular pap smears (a test used to detect cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix).
- Since having HPV is the greatest risk factor for cervical cancer, it is important to address some of the common misconceptions about this STD. Some people believe that you cannot get HPV if your partner does not have any symptoms. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can give HPV to your partner even if no symptoms are present. Unfortunately, many women become infected with HPV because their partner is unaware that they even have this disease. Also, note that it can take years for symptoms to appear after a person becomes infected with HPV. And despite what some people may believe, there is no cure for this virus. So, even if you seek medical help and utilize the proper treatment options, HPV will remain in your body and the symptoms may return in the future.
-
Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer:
Get an annual pap smear and immediately follow-up with your healthcare provider if your test results are abnormal. Take the HPV vaccine (GARDASIL); available for females between the ages of 11 and 26. Limit your number of sexual partners. Use a latex condom when having sexual intercourse (including oral sex). Avoid smoking cigarettes. Follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. - It is important for you and your partner to get tested for STD's prior to having sexual intercourse. Since having HPV (or other sexually transmitted diseases) increases your chances of becoming infected with cervical cancer, you should be fully aware of your partner's health status before having sex. Also, you should try to practice monogamy and have only one sexual partner at a time and use a latex condom every single time you engage in any type of sexual activity.
