PREVENTION
To reduce your risk of cervical cancer:
- Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine: Receiving a vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Ask your doctor whether an HPV vaccine is appropriate for you.
- Have routine pap tests: Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer. Most medical organizations suggest beginning routine pap tests at age 21 and repeating them every few years.
- Practice safe sex: Reduce your risk of cervical cancer by taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as using a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
- Don’t smoke: If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about strategies to help you quit.
TREATMENT
Treatment for cervical cancer depends on how far cancer has spread.
- For early cervical – surgery to remove the cervix and some or all of the womb or radiotherapy
- For advanced cervical cancer – radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy and surgery is also sometimes used.
Cervical cancer is often curable if it’s diagnosed at an early stage when cervical cancer is not curable. It’s often possible to slow its progression, prolong life span and relieve any associated symptoms such as pain and vaginal bleeding.
