Tips to Reduce Risk Of Cervical Cancer in a Woman

Tips To Reduce Risks of Cervical Cancer

By Okunlola Christiana Omolola

Cervical cancer is mainly triggered by a persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Although most individuals with HPV are able to clear the virus, prolonged high-risk HPV infections can lead to changes in cervical cells, causing them to become precancerous and eventually progress to cancer.

Various risk factors can increase the likelihood of a high-risk HPV infection resulting in cervical cancer, such as smoking, having a weakened immune system, engaging in multiple sexual relationships or beginning sexual activity at a young age, and prolonged use of oral contraceptives.

The main cause: HPV infection
~ High-risk HPV:
HPV is a category of viruses transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, often occurring during sexual intercourse. While many HPV infections are short-lived and do not lead to health issues, persistent infections with high-risk strains, particularly HPV types 16 and 18, account for almost all cases of cervical cancer.

~ Cellular alterations:
These high-risk HPV infections can change the DNA of cervical cells, resulting in precancerous transformations that may develop into cancer if they remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Risk-increasing factors:

Several elements can heighten the possibility of a high-risk HPV infection progressing to cervical cancer:
Weakened immune system:
Conditions like HIV/AIDS or the use of immunosuppressant medications can weaken the body’s defense against the HPV virus.

1. Smoking:
The act of smoking cigarettes considerably elevates the risk of developing cervical cancer.

2. Sexual history:
Engaging in sexual activity at a young age or having numerous sexual partners raises the likelihood of being exposed to HPV.

3. Oral contraceptives:
Using birth control pills for an extended period (more than five years) is linked to a slightly higher risk, though this risk diminishes after discontinuing the pill.

4. Chlamydia:
Some research indicates that having a past or current chlamydia infection may elevate the risk of cervical cancer.

5. DES exposure:
Women whose mothers took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) during their pregnancy in the 1950s might have an increased risk.

Ways to reduce your risk:
HPV vaccine:
Receiving the vaccine can prevent infections from the most common high-risk HPV types.

Regular screenings:
Consistent Pap smears and HPV tests can identify precancerous cellular changes, which can subsequently be treated before they evolve into cancer.