Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Did you know that cervical cancer is the easiest type of gynecological cancer to prevent? In fact, it is curable, too—that is, if you know what you are doing. In order to prevent cervical cancer from showing up on your medical records, you are going to have to know a few things about the disease so that you can take the appropriate steps toward staying healthy. There are numerous ways to avoid having to ever deal with this disease.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Every single woman on earth is at risk of developing cervical cancer; however, it usually happens to women after they have reached and surpassed the age of 30. As a matter of fact, about 12,000 women develop cervical cancer each year in the United States alone, according to findings from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the culprit of which is shared during sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, about half of all sexually active people will deal with HPV at one point in their lives—if those people do not take the time to learn how to prevent cervical cancer.

How Can It Be Prevented?

Having a healthy and fully functional reproductive system is not as difficult as you might think, even in light of such dire statistics. Luckily for women in modern, first-world regions, there are several treatment options available. That said, those who do not have access to adequate health care or who have dangerous lifestyle habits may want to listen up and learn how to prevent cervical cancer altogether.

The Pap Smear: It is usually recommended that women get a pap test at least once per year, regardless of their concerns about developing cervical cancer. These examinations feature various tests to check for pre-cancerous cells, cervical changes, and other abnormalities. Scheduling a pap smear is easy; the procedure is pretty painless; and it may help your OB-GYN to prevent cervical cancer in your uterus.

The HPV Test: This test is designed specifically to check for the human papillomavirus. Remember, this is what causes cervical cancer in the first place, so testing for it early could help to improve your chances of receiving effective treatment, should you not be able to prevent it altogether.

Safe Sex: Since cervical cancer is caused by HPV and HPV is contracted from sexual contact, practicing safe sex is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Using birth control does not help matters; only wearing condoms or practicing abstinence is effective. Talk to your OB-GYN for more information and a complete list of options.