One of the main causes of women’s death from all over the world, particularly in developing countries, is cervical cancer. Even if the occurrence of this disease in the US is slowly decreasing, it’s still vital to be aware of the various cervical cancer prevention techniques.

Cervical cancer has been proven to be one of the most preventable kinds of cancer that affects women. In actual fact, due to the development of Pap smear testing, there has been a decreased number of cervical cancer cases worldwide in the past twenty years. This is not a good reason, however, to be complacent, since a lot of women still develop cervical cancer. Below you’ll find some cervical cancer prevention approaches that women can use to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

It is well-known that getting vaccines that fight the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the group of viruses that causes cervical cancer, is considered as the best among the cervical cancer prevention strategies. For example, a type of HPV vaccine accepted by the Food and Drug Administration is Gardasil. This vaccine can be used by women from ages 9 to 26 as a way to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Before the young women become sexually active, this vaccine is said to be most effective among them.

The American Chemical Society claims that girls 11 to 12 years old should get a routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, until they are 18 years old. There has not been solid data to establish that HPV vaccination should be administered to women from 19 to 26 years old, but it is recommended that vaccinated women continue screening for cervical cancer.

Getting a regular Pap smear is an another effective cervical cancer prevention strategy. This test is considered the best protection for cervical cancer because it can notice changes in the cervix during their primary phases, way before they progress into cancer. Ask your gynecologist about cervical cancer screening guidelines, particularly how often you should have the test.

If you get an abnormal Pap smear, it is very important to follow this up with regular Pap smears, or colposcopies, with proper consultation with your doctor. Precancerous changes from cervical dysplasia within the cervix can return, and when they’re unnoticed, they can turn into cervical cancer, you need to follow this up with regular Pap smears, or colposcopies as well.

Particularly recommended cervical cancer prevention strategies involve carefulness in sexual activities, given the fact that the HPV virus is transferred from person to person through sexual contact. Limiting the number of sexual partners, for example, can reduce the risk of having cervical cancer, since studies have proven that women with many sexual partners have a higher chance of developing this disease. It it’s possible, sexual abstinence would be the best idea. The risk of getting HPV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases can be reduced through the use of barrier defense or spermicidal gels throughout sexual intercourse.

Prevention is seen as better than the cure, as a well-known proverb says. The chances of having this disease are diminished if these cervical cancer prevention strategies are practiced.

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