5 Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancerdefine is the second most common cancer in women around the world. It affects the cervix in the female reproductive system. The cervix is the lower part of the uterusdefine(womb). It is located at the top of the vagina which is about an inch long.

The disease is caused by several types of a virus called human papillomaviruses (HPV). The virus spreads through sexual contact. Though, bodies of many females are able to fight HPV infection but sometimes the virus leads to cancerdefine.

As a woman it must be your top priority to prevent cervical cancer and its easy to do so with some simple steps.

1. Quit smoking:

To reduce your risk of cervical cancer kick off the butt, as it increases your chances of developing several types of cancer. Various studies have shown that smoking tobacco can actually perk up the process of cervical damage caused by HPV.

2. Practice safe sex:

Use a condom every time you have sex. It not only helps in preventing pregnancy, but also sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like the human papillomavirus (HPV). Condoms cannot protect completely but studies show that condoms do provide some protection against HPV.

3. Look out for your sexual partner:

A risky sexual behavior increases a womens' chances of getting exposed to HPV infection. Limit the amount of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. Other factors like having sex with a partner who had multiple partners, having sex at an early age all perks up your chances of getting infection and STDs.

4. Get vaccinated:

Nearly 20 million young women around the world have been immunised against the virus that leads to most forms of cervical cancer. Gardasil protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Cervarix, protects against types 16 and 18. Fortunately, the approved vaccine not only protects from high risk strains, but also against 2 strains known to cause genital warts. Gardasil is available to women under 27, with a target age of 11 to 12 years of age. It requires a series of 3 injections over a 6 month period.

5. Get your regular Pap Smear test:

The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to have screening (testing) done to find the abnormal cervical changes long before they become cancerous. The Pap Smear is the most common way to do this. All women must get Pap smear test regularly. You must ask your health care provider about the issues such as how often you need a Pap smear as it differs from woman to woman, based on age, previous pap smear results and your cervical cancer risk factor.