Cervical Cancer Awareness

All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.

HPV is so common that most people get it at some time in their lives. HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can’t tell that you have it. For most women, HPV will go away on its own; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer.

Other things can increase your risk of cervical cancer—

• Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off health problems.
• Smoking.
• Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years).
• Having given birth to three or more children.
• Having several sexual partners.

• GET VACCINATED!
  • The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
• GET SCREENED!
  • Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early—
    • The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
    • The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes.
• GET HEALTHY!
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Use condoms during sex.*
  • Limit your number of sexual partners.