Top 10 Facts Every Woman Should Know
About Cervical Cancer Prevention

1. Cervical cancer is preventable! With vaccines, testing and treatment, cervical cancer can be prevented.
2. Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common infection that you can get from intimate sexual contact. Most adults will have HPV at some point in their lives.
3. Having HPV does not mean you will get cervical cancer. Most HPV infections go away on their own, without symptoms or treatment. When HPV infections don’t go away, they can cause cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
4. Having HPV does not mean that you or your partner was unfaithful. HPV can stay in your body for years, so there is no way to determine when – or from whom – you got it.
5. The Pap test looks for abnormal cells that can develop into cervical cancer. Women should get their first Pap test at age 21.
6. The HPV test looks for the types of HPV that can cause abnormal cervical cells and cervical cancer. Women who are 30 or older should get an HPV test along with their Pap test.
7. Having HPV does not mean you have abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer. It just means that you have HPV and that your healthcare provider will want to monitor you more closely.
8. The HPV vaccine protects against the two types of HPV that cause about 70% of cervical cancers. The vaccines are recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old, and are approved for girls and young women up to age 26.
9. Even if you have had the HPV vaccine, you still need to be tested for cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. So Pap tests and HPV tests are still needed.
10. Speak to your healthcare provider about how often you need to get tested and if the vaccine is right for you.

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