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Prevent Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one disease women may be able to prevent. Regular screening helps detect any problems before cancer develops, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help lower risk.
Infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is to blame for nearly all cancers on the cervix—the part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Some 80 percent of women will be infected during their lifetime with a genital form of this highly contagious virus through sex.
Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear up within two years. Rarely, infection lingers and causes cells on the cervix to become cancerous over a period of approximately 12 to 15 years.
Stress May Play a Role
High levels of perceived stress may leave women with HPV more vulnerable to eventual cancer by hampering the immune system, according to a new study in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine. A strong immune system is key in helping the body fight HPV infection.Major risk factors for cervical cancer include:
- Specific virus type—only some HPV forms cause cancer
- Smoking
- History of adolescent intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, or many sexual partners
Get Checked
Regular exams and Pap tests to check for cervical changes and HPV infection are the best defenses against the disease. Doctors recommend such tests once women reach age 21 or are sexually active for three years. Most women should have a Pap test at least once every two to three years. Women who are younger than age 30 or who have abnormal test results may need to be screened yearly.Girls and women between ages 9 and 26 can be vaccinated against the HPV forms most likely to cause cancer. Experts recommend that women get immunized before they could be exposed to the virus. Certain lifestyle strategies— such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and eating green vegetables like broccoli—can help reduce risk, too.
