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Cervical Cancer Awareness What is cervical cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When these abnormal cells are present in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix. What causes cervical cancer?
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. You are more likely to get HPV if you started having sex at an early age, or if you or your partner have had sex with several others. However, any woman who has ever had sex is at risk for HPV. There are many types of HPV. Usually HPV will go away on its own, but if it does not, it may cause cervical cancer over time. Other things can increase your risk of cervical cancer. They include: • Not having regular Pap tests. • Not following up with your doctor if you had a Pap test result that is not normal. • Having HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off health problems. • Smoking. What can I do to protect myself and those I care about? Get the HPV vaccine. It protects against the types of HPV that most
often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It is given in a series of three shots. The vaccine is recommended for
11 and 12 year old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women aged 13 through 26 who did not get any or all of the
shots when they were younger. (Note: The vaccine can be given to girls beginning at age 9.) • See your doctor regularly for a Pap test that can find cervical precancer. • Follow up with your doctor if your test results are not normal. • Don’t smoke. • Limit your number of sexual partners. • Use condoms during sex.*HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer. AMPAIGN!!! We Can Prevent
Cervical Cancer through Caring!
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