It was in the 19th century when the first case of cervical cancer was reported. Surgery to cure or treat cervical cancer was introduced towards the end of the 19th century. An infection called Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) causes cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is caused when this HPV infection has been left untreated for too long. Just like cancer, cervical cancer can be cured and treated if detected in the early stages. To find out if someone has cervical cancer, one can get a pap test done. There are other names by which cervical cancer is known; they are Dysplasia and Human Papillomavirus.
Prevention of HPV infection
One way to prevent cervical cancer is by preventing the HPV infection. Sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, weakened the immune system, damaged skin, personal contact, oral sex, smoking, taking birth control pills and more are some of the common causes. Causes and risk factors can help one take necessary measures to prevent the infection, which can later turn into cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer awareness
Cervical cancer has affected many women but can be prevented. For this, organizations are working toward creating awareness on cervical cancer. It is easier to solve a problem when the problem is known. There have been many awareness campaigns across the globe to make people aware of cervical cancer, its causes and risk factors. These awareness campaigns include educating people, especially women about the causes of cervical cancer and what measures they can take to prevent it.
Vaccines to prevent cervical cancer
Despite having a family history of cancer or cervical cancer, one can prevent themselves from getting infected by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Women from around the world are asked to take pap tests from the age of 21 years. It is important for women irrespective of their family history to get themselves tested occasionally. It is suggested that women, from the age of 21 years to 29 years get themselves tested every three years. Once women cross the age of 30 years, they should get Pap test and HPV test done every 5 years.
As mentioned above, most cervical cancers are caused due to human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease. There is vaccination available for women to prevent themselves from catching this infection that can later lead to cancer. There are three types of vaccines that are approved by Food and Drug Administration. Cervarix, one of the types of vaccinations, is only for girls; Gardasi and Gardasi9 are for girls and boys. Once this vaccine is taken, it can prevent the infection that causes cervical cancer. However, there are other causes of cervical cancer. Hence other precautions are just as important.
Lifestyle changes to prevent cervical cancer
Women can focus on making lifestyle changes that will reduce their risk of cervical cancer. Apart from timely tests, there are practices like quitting smoking, safe sex, less number of sex partners, healthy diet, less emotional stress, and breakdowns that will lower the risk of getting cancer.
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