Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, causes most cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death in women in the United States. Today, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Lives are saved because more women are routinely screened with a Pap test (also called a Pap smear).
A recent breakthrough in cervical cancer prevention came with the development of a vaccine for HPV. Two kinds of HPV (HPV-16 and HPV-18) cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. HPV is very common. By the time they are 50, most American women who have had sex have been exposed to the virus.
Like all women, young women can avoid infection with HPV by not having sex or by using condoms the right way every time they have sex. However, condoms cannot give complete protection against HPV because it can infect areas that are not covered by a condom. Avoiding HPV is the most important way to reduce a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.
The Basics
- Consider getting your child the HPV vaccine. Public health recommendations include the HPV vaccine for girls age 11 and 12 and for young women ages 13-26 if they have not been vaccinated. Some experts think that boys and young men also should get the vaccine. The vaccine is most effective if given before a person has become sexually active. Talk with your child’s healthcare professional about whether the HPV vaccine is right for him or her.
- Know that, even with the vaccine, women still need to have regular Pap tests.
- Show your children how important you think it is to be screened for cancer by getting your own regular screenings.
Visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s online cervical cancer awareness campaign, Confess!, to get personalized cervical cancer screening guidelines and pledge to get screened for cervical cancer.
Additional Resources