8 Best Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormalities in the cervix's cells, which usually progresses slowly over time, and is almost always caused by a sexually transmitted infection with high-risk forms of the human papillomavirus. Lifestyle changes can help lower your risk, and vaccination can help prevent the HPV infection that causes cancer in the first place.

Regular screening with a primary HPV test or a combination of an HPV test and a Pap smear can detect early precancerous changes, and treatment, if necessary, can greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing or spreading.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of screening and vaccination. Cervical cancer is preventable in up to 93% of cases.

1. Watch your lifestyle

Some lifestyle choices can reduce your chances of becoming infected with HPV, as well as your chances of developing cervical cancer if you do become infected.

2. Watch your sexual partners

Having sex with multiple partners raises your risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Having fewer partners may lower your risk of contracting the virus and spreading it to others.

Of course, even if you only have one partner, you can become infected with HPV if your partner has been exposed to the virus through other partners.

Most women are unaware that they have HPV until cervix changes are detected, and most men are unaware that they have the virus. That is only one of the many reasons why screening is so important.

3. Use condoms

Condom use that is consistent and correct can help prevent HPV infection. Because HPV is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact, condoms can help to reduce the spread of infection by providing a barrier of protection. However, condoms do not provide complete protection against HPV because contact with the virus can occur even when condoms are used.

4. Give up smoking

Smoking reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer, but it has no bearing on whether or not you will contract the HPV virus. Smoking lowers your overall immune function, which normally aids in the fight against viruses such as HPV and cancer. Smokers are roughly twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop cervical cancer.

5. Change your diet

According to research, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cervical cancer. This is most likely because a healthy lifestyle improves immune system function and lessens the impact of cancer-promoting changes in the body.

Furthermore, a South American research study suggested that curcumin, a spice with antioxidant properties, may show promise in the inhibition of cervical cancer in a research setting.

Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in some foods (particularly fruits and vegetables) that may help counteract free radicals in your body, which have been linked to the development of cancer. However, more research is required to confirm the benefits.

It's also important to get antioxidants from whole foods rather than supplements, because clinical trials have shown that antioxidant supplements frequently have little to no effect on cancer risk or mortality, and some may even increase the risk of cancer.

6. Consider IUD

A healthcare provider inserts an intrauterine device (IUD) into the uterus as a method of birth control. The device's position prevents pregnancy, and IUDs may also contain spermicidal medication.

A systematic review of 16 research studies involving 12,482 women found that women who used IUDs were one-third less likely to develop cervical cancer. It is unclear why this effect occurs, but it is thought to be related to the immune system's reaction to IUDs.

7. Consider HPV vaccination

Gardasil 9 is the only vaccine available in the United States; other options are available internationally. HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 are all protected. The vaccine is administered in two or three shots over the course of six to twelve months. It is injected into the thigh or upper arm muscle, causing mild pain and discomfort.

While it was previously assumed that HPV vaccination could reduce the risk of cervical cancer, a 2020 study provided evidence to support that assumption. Swedish women and girls were given a quadrivalent vaccine (an HPV vaccine that protected against four of the aforementioned strains), and the incidence of cervical cancer was tracked.

8. Don’t skip check-ups and screenings

Even if you don't have such symptoms, it's important to see your primary care physician and/or gynecologist on a regular basis. The fact that cervical cancer is now the fourth most common cancer in women is reason enough to visit your doctor on a regular basis.

A Pap smear is a screening test that can detect the majority of cervical changes associated with cancer development, allowing for earlier treatment and higher success rates. A primary HPV test looks specifically for high-risk types of HPV that are linked to cervical cancer.

A microscope is used to examine the Pap sample for irregularities in the size, shape, and organization of cervix cells. Cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe non-cancerous abnormalities. Your HPV test results will be reported as positive or negative, with the specific strain noted if positive. It may take up to a week for your results to be sent to your healthcare provider after your tests.