Routine Pap tests are the most effective way to detect cervical cancer in the earliest stages.
HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body — but using a condom every time you have sex can significantly reduce your risk of contracting HPV, according to a 2006 study.
In addition to using condoms, the best ways to prevent cervical cancer are to:
- Delay first intercourse
- Have fewer sexual partners
- Avoid smoking
If you're at high risk of cervical cancer, you'll need more frequent Pap tests.
A new vaccine known as Gardasil offers protection from the most dangerous types of HPV — the virus that causes most cervical cancers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine in June 2006. The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination for girls age 11 and 12, as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26 if they haven't received the vaccine already. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active.
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