How to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Pap Smear showing normal cells

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Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (Cervical Cancer) is a disease of sexually active women. It has a well known relationship with human papillomavirus (HPV) which is transmitted via sexual contact. There are known risk factors which predispose to infection with HPV. Follow the following steps to decrease your chances of getting this disease.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Discipline
Following your doctors advice
Pap Smear
Condoms
HPV Vaccine

Step1

Early onset of intercourse and multiple sexual partners over time are the biggest risk factors. Condoms may help if such things are inevitable.

Step2

Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer up to 4 times.

Step3

Immunosuppression (decreased immunity) also significantly increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. Immune suppression can be caused by many factors, especially prolonged use of high dose steroids (like prednisone), HIV infection and leukemia.

Step4

Papanicolaou smear ('Pap' smear) is a microscopic slide that is made by spreading scrapings from the cervix and examined under a microscope for cancerous cells. This is a very effective method of detecting cervical cancer at a very initial stage. Every women MUST have an annual pap smear starting from age 18 years or when sexually active, whichever comes first.

Step5

Two vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) are now available to prevent infection with the two types of HPV. It is hoped that the use of these vaccines will significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends Gardasil for all females between ages nine and 26 prior to becoming sexually active. Cervarix is not yet available in the United States.

Tips & Warnings

HPV immunization does not eliminate the need for pap smears and careful follow-up since other HPV types, which are not prevented by the vaccine, can also cause cervical cancer.
Vaccination should be done before becoming sexually active since the vaccine does not help to eliminate HPV infection after it has occurred.