How can I prevent cervical cancer?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:If you have human papillomavirus (HPV), you should make sure you obtain routine Pap smears (women) or urine tests (men). Women should also have gynecologic examinations yearly, or as often as the gynecologist recommends. The importance of routine gynecologic examinations is to detect precancerous cells and prevent cervical cancer from making your RealAge (physiologic age) older. Women who have been exposed to the virus are more likely to develop cervical cancers.
In fact, almost all women with positive results on a Pap smear show evidence of having been exposed to the virus. Positive Pap smear results do not mean you have cancer. Most positive results merely identify an increased risk of developing cancer. If you do get a positive result, you will want to be especially careful about having the condition monitored. Your gynecologist may recommend biannual or quarterly Pap smears or treatments to remove precancerous cells and prevent the development of full-blown cervical cancer.
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If you have human papillomavirus (HPV), you should make sure you obtain routine Pap smears (women) or urine tests (men). Women should also have gynecologic examinations yearly, or as often as the gynecologist recommends. The importance of... More -
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Regular PAP tests and quitting smoking can help you avoid cervical cancer. Watch the video to learn more.
Regular PAP tests and quitting smoking can help you avoid cervical cancer. Watch the video to learn more. More -
The best thing you can do to avoid cervical cancer is to get your regular pap screenings. Pap smears detect irregular cells in the cervical lining before they become cancerous. If you are a younger woman or have a teenaged daughter who is not yet sexually active, look into the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. It will prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer. Be smart sexually. Avoid sexual contact with some who has HPV and know a partner's sexual history to protect yourself from exposure to HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
The best thing you can do to avoid cervical cancer is to get your regular pap screenings. Pap smears detect irregular cells in the cervical lining before they become cancerous. If you are a younger woman or have a teenaged daughter who is not yet... More -
Dr. Jill Grimes answered:Abstinence or monogamy with a partner who has had no prior sexual partners will prevent getting HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
Gardasil vaccine prevents infection with HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Abstinence or monogamy with a partner who has had no prior sexual partners will prevent getting HPV, which causes cervical cancer. Gardasil vaccine prevents infection with HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers. More -
Riverside Cancer Care Center answered:Scientists have developed a vaccine that helps prevent certain types of HPV. The vaccine helps protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cancer. Right now, the HPV vaccine (called Gardasil®) is only given to females ages 9 to 26. The vaccine is given in three doses (shots) over a six-month period. Women who are pregnant should not get the HPV vaccine until after the baby is born.
The HPV vaccine works best in females who haven't been exposed to the virus. It protects against four types of HPV. Studies show the vaccine prevents about 70 percent of cervical cancers if it is given to women and girls before they have sex for the first time. It also protects against about 90 percent of genital warts. The shot works for at least five years, maybe longer. It is still under study.
About 30 percent of cervical cancers will not be prevented by the vaccine. But there are other ways to help prevent cervical cancer. By getting regular Pap tests and pelvic exams, your doctor can find and treat the changing cells before they turn into cancer. Practicing safer sex is also very important. Below are things you can do to help protect yourself against HPV and cervical cancer.
Don't have sex. The best way to prevent any STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Be faithful. Having sex with just one partner can also lower your risk. Be faithful to each other. That means that you only have sex with each other and no one else. Use condoms. HPV can occur in both female and male genital areas that are not covered by condoms. However, research has shown that condom use is linked to lower cervical cancer rates. Protect yourself with a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
This answer is based on source information from National Women's Health Information Center.
Scientists have developed a vaccine that helps prevent certain types of HPV. The vaccine helps protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cancer. Right now, the HPV vaccine (called Gardasil®) is only given to females ages 9 to 26.... More -
Dr. Scott Kamelle of Aurora Health Care answered:Cervical cancer is best prevented by immunizing both boys and girls before exposure. Current recommendations suggest HPV immunization at the age of 11 years. HPV is the virus that is responsible for causing cervical cancer. Gardesil vaccine effectively immunizes patients against HPV types 16 and 18. These two subtypes are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. For patients not eligible for the vaccine, annual visits to the gynecologist, which should include cervical pap screening, should protect one from developing cervix cancer.
Cervical cancer is best prevented by immunizing both boys and girls before exposure. Current recommendations suggest HPV immunization at the age of 11 years. HPV is the virus that is responsible for causing cervical cancer. Gardesil vaccine... More -
Dr. Linus Chuang of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Get HPV vaccinations if you are between 9-26 years old. Begin pap smear screening after 21 years old and co-testing with pap and HPV starting at 30 years old every 3-5 years. It is unlikely one will develop cervical cancer with this screening process. The only other thing is to not to smoke.Get HPV vaccinations if you are between 9-26 years old. Begin pap smear screening after 21 years old and co-testing with pap and HPV starting at 30 years old every 3-5 years. It is unlikely one will develop cervical cancer with this screening... More
