Prevention

To prevent cervical cancer, it's important to avoid the virus that causes most cases. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is passed by sexual contact. HPV may be passed on without knowing because many people do not know they have it. To limit exposure to HPV:

• Delay having sex if you are young.
• Limit your number of sexual partners and avoid sex with people who have had many other sexual partners.
• Use condoms. They offer protection against HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

A Pap smear can detect changes in the cells of your cervix before they before cancerous. The American Cancer Society recommends the following:

• Begin having Pap tests within three years of becoming sexually active or at age 21, whichever comes first.
• After that, Pap tests should be done every one to two years, depending on the type of test used, until age 30.
• From ages 30 to 69, have a Pap test every two to three years if you've had three normal Pap tests in a row.
• From age 70 on, you may stop having Pap tests if you've had three or more normal tests in a row and no abnormal results in the last 10 years.

A vaccine now offers protection against cervical cancer. The cervical cancer vaccine immunizes against two strains of HPV. These two strains are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine can prevent HPV infections but does not treat an existing infection. Three injections are given over a one-year period. Because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, it is still important to have regular Pap tests.

More on Cervical Cancer

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.