5 Easy Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean the awareness should stop. Cervical cancer is easily detectable and most women survive it if detected early. Below are five methods you can use to prevent cervical cancer. Follow this link for more information.  

Cervical cancer occurs when cells in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, become malignant. More than 12,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in the U.S., and more than 4,000 women die from the cervical cancer each year. 

But there’s good news, too: Because cervical cancer is slow growing, the disease is highly treatable and curable.  Here are five easy steps you and your loved ones can take to prevent cervical cancer: 

1. Get ScreenedEarly detection is essential to successful treatment of cervical cancer, so having a Pap test is the very best way to find out if something’s not right. You can schedule affordable women’s wellness exams on Sprig Health for as low as $135. 

2. Know Your Risk FactorsAccording to the American Cancer Society, the most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection from human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted virus. (A simple test when during a women’s wellness exam can determine if you have it). Other factors that can increase your risk include smoking, using birth control pills for five or more years, and giving birth to three or more children. If any of these risk factors apply to you, your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings. 

3. Get Vaccinated for HPVIf you’re under 26, schedule to get an appointment to get an HPV vaccine, which can protect you against the most common forms of the virus. If you’re over 26, please encourage younger loved ones (both boys and girls) to get vaccinated. Learn more about HPV vaccines 

4. Quit SmokingStudies have found that smoking cigarette increases the risk of developing many cancers, including cervical cancer. When combined with HPV infection, smoking can actually accelerate the spread of cervical cancer, so quitting smoking is the way to go. Sprig offers a great smoking cessation program that can help you kick the habit for good. 

5. Eat  SuperfoodsA great way to lower your cancer risk by eating foods that are known to reduce free radicals in the body. Blueberries, squash, bell peppers, cherries, salmon are loaded with cancer-fighting properties, so they can help slow or stop the process that turns normal cervical cells into cancerous ones. 

If you’ve been putting it off, please make this the month that you take steps to protect yourself against cervical cancer. Talk to your health care provider, get tested, and encourage the women in your life to do the same.