Cervical Cancer: Prevention

How can cervical cancer be prevented?

Cervical cancer most often starts with precancerous cell changes. You can take steps to help prevent these changes that lead to cervical cancer. And if you get regular screening tests, the changes can be found and treated before cervical cancer develops.

Preventing precancer 

To help prevent the cervical cell changes that can lead to cancer, make sure to:

• Not get infected with HPV. The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is having certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. More than 150 types of HPV have been found. Some high-risk types of HPV are linked to cervical cancer, as well as some other kinds of cancer. HPV is most often spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person who has the virus. It can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact. Genital warts may not always be present or seen. So you can’t tell just by looking if a person has genital HPV. You may not know you have HPV because you may not have any symptoms.

• Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine can protect against certain types of HPV infection. The vaccine only works if given before an infection with HPV. So the vaccine should be given before a person becomes sexually active. Parents should get their children vaccinated at an early enough age that they have not been exposed to these viruses. Current recommendations are for girls and boys ages 9 through 14 to be vaccinated using a 2-dose schedule. If the vaccine is given from ages 15 through 26, a 3-dose schedule should be used. The HPV vaccine is fairly new, so experts don't know how long it protects you. Studies so far have shown that it works for at least 10 years. No vaccine gives full protection against all cancer-causing types of HPV. It’s still important to get routine Pap and HPV tests.

• Use condoms every time you have sex, from start to finish. Condoms may help protect you from HPV. They need to be used correctly and every time you have sex. The HPV virus can still be spread through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body. This includes the skin in the genital area that can’t be covered by a condom. Condoms do help prevent chlamydia infection. Chlamydia has been linked to a higher risk for cervical cancer. 

• Not smoke. Smoking has been linked to cervical precancer and cancer.

Finding precancer

A Pap test can find precancer cells of the cervix before they become cancer. Having regular Pap tests gives you a better chance of preventing cancer. In fact, most cases of cervical cancer are found in women who have not had regular or any screening tests.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that all women should get regular Pap tests starting at age 21. The ACS recommendations say that: 

• Women between ages 21 and 29 should get a Pap test done every 3 years.

• Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have a Pap test plus an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years or just a Pap test every 3 years.

• Women older than 65 who have had regular screening with normal results should not be screened for cervical cancer. Once screening is stopped, it should not be started again.

• Women who have an increased risk for cervical cancer because of a weak immune system or other risk factors may need screening more often. Talk with your healthcare provider about screening. 

• A woman who has had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for reasons not related to cervical cancer and who has no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer should not be screened.  

• A woman who has been vaccinated against HPV should follow the screening advice for her age group.