Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervical.
Previous studies have shown that the most common cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 80% of cases.
Currently, nearly 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Among all risk factors, HPV, a virus transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual contact, is a key factor in cervical cancer.
HPV has been found in 99 percent of cervical cancers, and it has over 100 strains.
Hector Chapa, MD, FACOG at Texas A&M College of Medicine, provides tips to prevent cervical cancer effectively.
First, get the HPV vaccine.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. About 80% of HPV-related cancers are attributable to HPV 18 or 16.
The good news is that they have been included in the HPV vaccine.
All people aged 9 and 45 are recommended to get the HPV vaccine.
Second, get regular Pap smears.
Pap smears allow for early detection of abnormal cells before they progress to cancer. The test examines the cervix and scrape cells from its surface.
Women aged 21 to 29 should get a Pap smear every three years.
Women 30 to 65 have three options of screening: Pap smear every three years, HPV 16 and 18 testing alone every five years, or co-testing of HPV and Pap smear every five years.
Third, practice safe sex.
HPV can infect people during a single instance of sexual intercourse that occurred without proper protection.
Therefore, people should use protection to curb a person’s exposure to HPV and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Fourth, don’t smoke.
Previous studies have shown that smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
It is possible that the carcinogens ingested from smoking tobacco may impair the body’s ability to fight HPV infections.
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