Cervical Cancer: Risk Factors & Prevention Tips

Every year in the United States, approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and close to 4,000 die from it. Are you at risk? Are you doing what you can to prevent it from happening to you?

You may be at risk if you… 

• Are living with HIV/AIDS or any other condition that weakens your immune system.

• Smoke regularly.

• Are overweight.

• Maintain a diet low in fruits and vegetables.

• Have been infected with HPV or chlamydia.

• Have used oral contraceptives for over 5 years.

• Have had 3 or more full-term pregnancies.

• Had your first full-term pregnancy under the age of 17.

• Have a family history of cervical cancer.

You can prevent cervical cancer by…

Receiving a regular cervical cancer screening by your gynecologist, starting at age 21. Women aged 21-29 should have a Pap test every 3 years. At age 30, women should be screened with a Pap test combined with an HPV test every 5 years. This “co-testing” should continue until age 65.

Due to the effectiveness of routine Pap test screening, the cervical cancer death rate in the United States has declined by more than 50% over the last 30 years. If you have not been screened for cervical cancer, Any Lab Test Now® encourages you to Take Control of Your Health® and contact your gynecologist today.