Cervical cancer is deadly but silent; you will hardly notice the early warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. As a result, treating it in its earlier stages is never possible. This slow-progressing condition usually has no visible symptoms in the initial stages. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 11,000 people in the country are diagnosed with it every year.

Women get diagnosed with cervical cancer when the human papillomavirus (HPV) gets transmitted during sexual intercourse. This virus affects around 79 million people and can be found in almost 93% of cervical cancer cases. Besides this virus, some other conditions contribute to this deadly disease, like inadequate nutrition, pregnancy, smoking, and a weak immune system. Although HPV may be common, most people do not have any symptoms as the body has a resilient immune system that is capable of clearing it in a few years. But, in some cases, there are HPV strains that alter cells inside the cervix, creating cancer cells.

How to prevent cervical cancer:

The early warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer are usually not noticeable. However, preventing this cancer may not be as hard if you know what to do.

• HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer. So, if you are sexually active, you must undergo routine tests and examinations. Pap Smear and HPV tests can detect any sort of abnormality in the cells before cancer can start. Ideally, women should go through Pap tests every 3 years, starting from 21 years of age. After 30, the test can be conducted every 5 years. Most cases of cervical cancer are seen in women who have either never undergone a Pap test or have not had one in more than 5 years.
• When doctors find a hint of infection in tests, they will start treating you and repeat tests at a later date. In case the doctor finds some other causes, apart from an infection, they may prescribe some other tests.
• When a vaccine is available to prevent a type of cancer, make use of it. For instance, there are two vaccines called Gardasil and Cervarix that can prevent HPV, the most common cause for cervical cancers. According to the CDC, it is best to get yourself vaccinated before getting exposed to HPV.
• Moreover, it is essential to use a condom during intercourse. This will lower the risk of getting HPV and other HPV-related conditions.
• Your task is to cut down the exposure to HPV through skin-to-skin contact. This also indicates that the virus can spread even without sexual activity. For instance, it can get transmitted from the cervix to the vulva or vagina. It is best to avoid having sex with multiple partners without protection.
• If you are a heavy smoker, it is best to quit the habit, as it can double the risks of the condition. Tobacco by-products are known to damage the DNA of cells in the cervix and can cause cervical cancer.