January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. And we’re starting the year off with some great news. Cervical Cancer is decreasing!
Over the past 40 years, cervical Cancer cases and death rates have gone down significantly. As more and more women follow Cervical Cancer Prevention techniques and get Pap tests (cervical cancer screening), which can find cervical precancer before cancer develops, the rates continue to drop. Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. It’s not any more!
Let’s keep fighting – and beating – cervical cancer. We’re making progress!
First things first. Here are some handy cervical cancer prevention tips. If you’re careful and proactive, and follow these suggestions, you can reduce your risk of contracting cancer:
- Try to stay away from the HPV virus. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common of cervical cancer causes, and your risk of exposure is much higher if you start having sex at an early age, or have multiple partners. HPV is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact (not just sex), so it’s wise to be careful.
- Use condoms. One study found that when used correctly, condoms can lower the rate of HPV transmission by up to 70%.
- Don’t smoke. You’ll reduce not only your risk of cervical cancer, but of lots of other cancers, too.
- Make sure you’ve had your HPV vaccine. Gardasil and Cervarix have been approved for women under the age of 26, and it’s a good idea to be vaccinated before you become sexually active. These vaccines, also known as cervical cancer prevention shots, work to protect you against future contact with HPV – they won’t cure you if you’ve already been exposed to the virus
- Get regular Pap smears. Your doctor will be able to catch and treat cervical precancer before it develops into an actual cancer. Find a Pap smear clinic near you.
To learn more or get involved with awareness and cervical cancer prevention, visit the National Cervical Cancer Coalition online today. We can make a difference.
If you’re looking for more information and cancer prevention tips, click here to find out about 10 cancer fighting foods to add to your diet.
Talk to us in the comments! What are you doing this month to raise cervical cancer awareness?
