Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Executive Summary

Some primary preventive measures are considered essential to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Some common preventive measures for cervical cancer include HPV vaccination, having routine Pap tests, avoiding smoking, delaying the first sexual intercourse until the late teens or older, avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have had multiple partners, avoiding sexual intercourse with a person who is infected with genital warts or who show any other symptoms, practicing safe sex by the use of condoms and dental dams, limiting the number of sexual partners.

Prevention from Cervical Cancer

• HPV vaccine: The infection is preventable with the available vaccines Cervarix and Gardasil. Vaccination is effective before a person becomes sexually active ^​2​. Both girls and boys can be vaccinated against HPV. Gardasil 9 is accessible in the United States to prevent HPV16, HPV18, and five other types of HPV linked with Cervical cancer.
• Have routine Pap tests: Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings with Pap tests and HPV tests to find precancers and treat them. Pap tests can discover precancerous conditions of the cervix to be monitored or treated to prevent cervical cancer. Many medical organizations suggest beginning routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeating them every few years.
• Don’t smoke: If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, try to quit.

Additional measures for prevention of cervical cancer: 

• Delay the first sexual intercourse until the late teens or older
• Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have had multiple partners
• Avoid sexual intercourse with a person who is infected with genital warts or who show any other symptoms
• Practicing safe sex by the use of condoms and dental dams
• Limiting the number of sex partners

References