Prevention

Cervical cancer can often be prevented by preventing precancers and having regular Pap tests. Preventing precancers means controlling these risk factors.

• Delaying first sexual intercourse until the late teens or older
  
  
• Limiting the number of sex partners
  
  
• Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have had many partners
  
  
• Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who are obviously infected with genital warts or show other symptoms
  
  
• Having safe sex by using condoms will reduce the risk of HPV infection. Condoms also protect against HIV and AIDS.
  
  
• Quitting smoking

The Pap test is the most common test for cervical cancer. Researchers have found that combining it with a test to detect HPV provides the most accurate results. In 2003, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recommended that Pap tests and HPV tests be used together when screening for cervical cancer in women over the age of 29. The HPV test is already being used as a secondary test in people with Pap test results that indicate abnormal cells are present.

In 2006, a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer was approved by the FDA for girls and women between ages 9 and 26. It prevents infection by the four most common strains (types) of HPV. The vaccine does not protect people who are already infected with HPV. Doctors still recommend regular Pap tests using the guidelines below for all women. For more information on the HPV vaccine, read the ASCO Expert Corner: HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer.

In 2003, the American Cancer Society, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, and the U.S. Preventive Task Force developed screening guidelines with the Pap test for cervical cancer.

• All women should begin having yearly Pap tests within three years of beginning vaginal sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21.
  
  
• Women should be screened annually with a conventional Pap test or every two years with liquid-based tests. Women with three consecutive normal test results can lengthen their screening intervals to every two to three years. Women with specific medical conditions, such as infection with HIV, should be screened more often.
  
  
• Women over the age of 70 can discontinue screening if their previous three Pap tests were normal and there were no abnormal test results within the previous 10 years. However, women with certain medical conditions, such as HIV infection, should continue routine screening.
  
  
• Screening after a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) is not necessary unless the surgery was done to treat cervical cancer or precancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue screening until age 70.