How to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Prevention of cervical cancer is the most priority in all women. Women can do some simple ways to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. Slight changes in lifestyle and with regular health checks is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.

1. Doing Sex Safely

Safe sex does not mean avoiding pregnancy, but to avoid transmission of disease through unprotected sex such as human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus is generally transmitted through sexual intercourse and is cause cervical cancer. You can lower the risk of HPV infection by using condoms during sexual intercourse. Using condoms does not mean you are free 100% of HPV, but most do not use condoms is better than nothing. But the safest thing is not to have sex with who are not spouses.

2. Not changing partners
Do not just safe sex by using condoms. It also means not having sex pairs are alternated. Having multiple sex partners increases the risk of being infected with HPV and other diseases that may be transmitted.

3. Perform regularly Cervical Cancer Screening
Do pap smears at regular intervals is the most effective step in reducing the risk of cervical cancer. A Pap smear is a simple test that can detect cervical abnormalities before they become cancerous. The key to the effectiveness of the Pap smear is done on a regular basis. How many times should have a pap smear? Each woman will be different depending on the age, the results of previous Pap smears and cervical cancer risk factors you have. Always consult your doctor about how often you should perform a pap smear. If the results indicate the presence of abnormal pap smears, be sure to follow up the recommendations given by doctors. This means you may have more frequent Pap smears or colposcopy, a test that is performed to view the cervix more clearly.

 4. No Smoking

It is simple, smoking does not provide health benefits to you. Even in cases of lung cancer, smoking is a risk factor that is very dominant. You must ask, what is the relationship between smoking and cervical cancer? Several studies show that smoking may accelerate the process of destruction of cervical HPV. By quitting smoking now then you will reduce the risk of several cancers, including cervical cancer.

5. HPV Immunization

HPV is a known virus is transmitted through sexual activity in women. Currently, there are no approved vaccines only protect against viruses that have a high risk, but also the type of virus known to cause genital warts. Gardasil is a vaccine that can be used for women under 27 years, with a target age of 11 to 12 years. The vaccine is administered in serial injections for 3 times for 6 months. The vaccine is most effective when given to young women before they become sexually active.