Good Cervical Cancer Prevention Techniques

One of the main causes of women’s death from all over the world, particularly in developing countries, is cervical cancer. It’s still extremely important to be aware of the numerous cervical cancer prevention strategies, even though the frequency of this disease in the United States is gradually decreasing.

Scientific research has proven that cervical cancer represents one of the most avoidable types of cancers that currently affect 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. Nevertheless, due to the fact that there are still numerous women that develop cervical cancer, this isn’t a reason to not be tested. Below you’ll find some cervical cancer prevention approaches that women can use to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

The group of viruses called the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the one that causes cervical cancer, and one of the best cervical cancer prevention strategies, is to get the vaccines that fight these viruses. For example, a type of HPV vaccine accepted by the Food and Drug Administration is Gardasil. This vaccine is recommended for women from ages 9 to 26 to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. This vaccine is said to be most effective among young women before they become sexually active.

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. Even if no solid data has suggested a HPV vaccination for women from 19 to 29 years old, it is recommended that vaccinated women should continue to screen for cervical cancer.

Another one of the better cervical cancer prevention techniques is to get a regular Pap smear. Given the fact that it can detect changes in the cervix during their early stages, way before they develop into cancer, this test is considered to be the greatest defense for cervical cancer You may find out about cervical cancer screening guidelines, particularly how often you should have the test, from your gynecologist.

It’s extremely important to follow this up with regular Pap smears, or colposcopies, in case you get an abnormal Pap smear, along 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.

Paying attention to your sexual activities is one of the recommended cervical cancer prevention strategies, since the HPV virus is transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. Studies have demonstrated that women with many sexual partners usually develop this disease more often than those with fewer partners; thus, limiting the number of sexual partners, can reduce the risk of having cervical cancer. Sexual abstinence is the best practice. 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 way better than the cure, as the popular adage goes. Practicing these cervical cancer prevention strategies lessens the chances of having this disease.