Cervical cancer results when cells in the cervix--the tissue that links the back of the vagina to the uterus--develops genetic mutations that cause them to divide abnormally rapidly. One of the main risk factors for cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Cervical cancer often progresses slowly but can be deadly because the cancer can spread to other organs throughout the body.
Step 1
Reduce your risk of contracting the human papillomavirus. HPV infections of the vagina and cervical area are contracted as a result of sexual intercourse. Remain in a mutually monogamous relationship, use condoms, and/or minimize your number of sexual partners. None of these steps guarantees that you will not develop cervical cancer as a result of HPV, but they do minimize the risk.
Step 2
Get vaccinated against HPV. The Center For Disease Control recommends that all 11 and 12 year old girls receive this vaccine. In addition, the vaccine has been tested on women between the ages of 9 and 26 and is effective in these age groups. The HPV vaccine is given as a series of shots and can prevent 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer.
Step 3
Receive regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. Cervical cancer typically develops slowly. Before cells in the cervix become cancerous, they often form a precancerous lesion known as cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia results in the cells on the surface of the cervix appearing abnormal. Pelvic exams and Pap smears can diagnose these precancerous lesions by visualizing both the cervix and some of its cells. If cervical dysplasia is detected before cervical cancer forms, the affected tissue can treated preemptively to prevent cervical cancer.
