Reducing Your Risk of Cervical Cancer
By Misty Cox, FNP-C, WHNP, family nurse practitioner
The early stages of cervical cancer don’t have any symptoms, and that’s why it’s so important to get your well-woman exam annually. If you are aged 21-30, pap smears are recommended every three years; If you are 30-65 years old, a pap smear is encouraged every 5 years. However, if you have an abnormal pap smear, your provider will bring you back sooner for either a repeat pap smear or a procedure to make sure you do not have any cancer cells. If cancer cells are detected, your women’s health provider will refer you to an oncologist to provide specialized care.
2 Min Video:
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
If you have any of the symptoms below, you should schedule an appointment with your women’s health provider immediately.
- Foul-smelling discharge
- HPV virus
- Leg swelling
- Backache
- Pain or bleeding after intercourse
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Bleeding during menopause
- Menstrual irregularities
- Bloody stools
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Risk Factors
Risk factors for cervical cancer include:
- Having multiple sex partners during your lifetime
- Having sex earlier in life
- Smoking
- Weakened immune system
How to decrease your risk of cervical cancer:
- Get the HPV vaccine; talk with your women’s health provider to determine if it is right for you based on your age and other factors
- Schedule your annual well-woman exam
- Get your recommended pap smears
- Practice safe sex
- Do not smoke, because smoking increases the risk of all forms of cancer and lung disease
