Prevention

The key to preventing invasive cervical cancer is to detect any cell changes early, before they become cancerous. Regular pelvic examinations and Pap smears are the best way to do this. How often you should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear depends on your individual situation.

• You should have your first Pap smear when you become sexually active, no matter how old you are.
  
  
• If you are not sexually active, you should have your first Pap smear at age 18 years or earlier.
  
  
• In both cases, you should have a Pap smear every year for at least 3 years.
  
  
• If these Pap smears reveal no abnormal cells and you have few risk factors for cervical cancer, the US Guide to Clinical Preventive Services recommends a repeat Pap smear at least every 3 years.
  
  
• Because a woman's risk factors may change with her lifestyle, many medical professionals prefer that you have a Pap smear yearly through age 65 years and older, regardless of the number of negative tests you have had in the past.
  
  
• If you have had precancerous changes or cancer of the cervix, your gynecologist will recommend a schedule of follow-up examinations and tests.

Avoidance of human papillomavirus infection is becoming increasingly important in the prevention of precancerous and cancerous changes of the cervix.

• Early age at first intercourse is associated with increased risk. Abstinence is recommended as one way to prevent the transmission of HPV.
  
  
• Likewise, barrier protection, such as condom use, may prevent HPV infection, although this has not yet been fully studied.
  
  
• A vaccine to protect women from cervical cancer may be available in 5 years. Early tests found an experimental vaccine to be effective against the virus responsible for half of all cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine targets a strain of HPV. The vaccine would not be effective for women who already have HPV.

Cigarette smoking is another risk factor for cervical cancer that can be prevented. Quitting smoking may decrease your chances of developing cervical cancer.

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Cervical Cancer - Risk Factors at Time of Diagnosis

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