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HPV & Cervical Cancer: Prevention Tips

Date: 07/11/24

How are cervical cancer and HPV connected and what can I do to prevent them?

Orange circle with cervical cancer-related icon
What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix connects the vagina to the uterus. Anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer, but it occurs most often in people older than 30.

The main cause of cervical cancer is HPV, or human papillomavirus. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection.

What is HPV?

There are more than 150 types of HPV. Only about 13 types are high-risk strains that can lead to cervical cancer. Most people who have HPV do not know they have it. Usually, the immune system gets rid of HPV within 2 years. But when a high-risk HPV infection hangs around, it can turn normal cells into abnormal cells and then cancer.

HPV can also cause genital warts and other types of cancers in both women and men.

There is no cure for HPV, but there are steps you can take to stop HPV from seriously harming your health.

How can I protect myself and/or my children from HPV and related cancer?

Orange cicle with check mark icon   Stay up to date on screenings! Cervical cancer usually doesn’t have any symptoms early on. That makes it hard to detect. Symptoms can begin to show after the disease has already spread. That is why screenings are so important and can save lives!

There are 3 types of screening tests:·        

  • Pap smear, or Pap test. This looks for abnormal cells on the cervix. These cells can be treated before they become cancer.
  • HPV test. This checks for high-risk types of HPV, though it can’t tell if you have cervical cancer.
  • Co-test. This combines an HPV test with a Pap test.

Women should get Pap smears starting at age 21, even if they are not sexually active. How often you should get a Pap smear depends on your age and health history. Talk with your doctor about when and how often you should be screened.

Remember, these screenings are included in your benefits, so they won’t cost you a thing! Plus, Louisiana Healthcare Connections members ages 21-64 earn $50 in healthy rewards when they complete a cervical cancer screening.

Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your Pap smear.

Orange cicle with check mark icon     Get vaccinated! The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV that can cause cancer or genital warts. The vaccine works best if a person gets it years before they have sex. That’s why it’s recommended that boys and girls get the vaccine around age 11 or 12. But older teens and young adults should get the vaccine, too, even if they have already had sex.

Important: When you get your child vaccinated, you’re protecting them from getting cancer later in life.

It is not widely recommended that adults over age 26 get the vaccine. But you should still talk to your doctor about whether the vaccine could benefit you.