The Most Effective Ways To Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer affects your cervix, the lower part of your uterus, or womb. And although it sounds scary, it’s very preventable. If you take the proper steps and care for your reproductive health, you lower your risk for cervical cancer.

Board-certified OB/GYN John Paul Roberts, MD, provides expert care in Plano, Texas. He and his team offer annual pelvic exams and Pap smears to find irregular cells before they turn into something more serious.

What causes cervical cancer?

Cancer can appear anywhere in your body when the DNA in your cells mutates and then these abnormal cells multiply rapidly. With cervical cancer, it’s the cells in your cervix that mutate.

The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and your risk increases if you have multiple sexual partners and/or sex without protection.

But HPV isn’t the only reason you can develop cervical cancer. Your lifestyle choices and genetics also play a role.

There are two main forms of cervical cancer:

• Squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of cervical cancer
• Adenocarcinoma, which affects the glandular cells in your cervix

As we’ve already mentioned, HPV is the single largest risk factor for cervical cancer, but other factors put you at risk for cervical cancer, including:

• Smoking
• Having birthed more than three children
• Taking birth control for longer than five years
• Having any disease that affects your immune system

Tips on preventing cervical cancer

The good news is that you can take steps to prevent cervical cancer. Start by seeing Dr. Roberts at least once a year to take charge of your cervical health. You can also reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by:

Getting a Pap smear

The Pap smear is one of the most effective ways to screen for changes in your cervical cells. Dr. Roberts typically does this test during your pelvic exam, checking for precancerous changes that could turn into cancer.

Not smoking

Smoking increases your risk for several types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Quitting smoking lowers your chances of developing this form of cancer, among others.

Using protection during sex

HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, which you can prevent through safe-sex practices. Use condoms or other barrier methods to prevent this and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Limiting your sexual partners

Having multiple sexual partners increases your risk for cervical cancer, because you may be exposed to HPV and other diseases. 

Getting the HPV vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, depending on your age. These age groups may benefit from the vaccine:

• Children ages 11-12 (recommended), but those as young as age 9 may get the vaccine
• Teens and young adults up to age 26
• Some adults aged 27-45 who aren’t already vaccinated, depending on their risk for a new HPV infection

If you want to learn more about cervical cancer prevention, call our office in Plano, Texas, or book an appointment through this website.