Cervical Cancer Prevention Measures

Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings to find any precancers and treat them. The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV. Preventing precancers means controlling possible risk factors mentioned below-

• Unprotected first intercourse during teens
• Having multiple sex partners
• Excessive smokings
• Not aware of STDs sexual partners are infected with

Screening is used to look for cancer or abnormalities that may become cancerous before you have any symptoms or signs. Scientists have developed and continue to develop tests that can be used to screen a person for specific types of cancer before signs or symptoms appear. The overall goals of cancer screening are to:

• Less number of people who die from the cancer, or completely eliminate deaths from cancer
• Prevention from STDs
• Awareness about STDs

Screening information for cervical cancer:-

Bimanual pelvic exam – In this examination the doctor will check a woman’s body for any unusual changes in her cervix, uterus, vagina, ovaries, and other nearby organs.

HPV test – This test is done on a sample of cells removed from the woman’s cervix, the same sample used for the Pap test (see below). This sample is tested for the strains of HPV most commonly linked to cervical cancer.

Pap test – The Pap test has been the most common test for early changes in cells that can lead to cervical cancer. This test is also called a Pap smear.

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) – VIA is a screening test that can be done with few tools and the naked eye.