Cervical cancer - Preventing cervical cancer

There is no single way to completely prevent cervical cancer, but there are a number of things that can help reduce your risk.

These are described in more detail below.

Safer sex

Most cases of cervical cancer are linked to an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can be spread through unprotected sex, so using a condom can help reduce your risk of developing the infection.

Your risk of developing a HPV infection increases the earlier you start having regular sex and with the more sexual partners you have, although women who have only had one sexual partner can also develop it.

However, as HPV is very common and is largely spread through skin-to-skin contact in the wider genital area, it is hard to prevent just by practising safe sex. This is why it's important to attend all the cervical screening tests you're invited to and why the HPV vaccine is routinely offered to children.

Cervical screening

Regular cervical screening is the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix at an early stage.

Women who are 25 to 49 years old are invited for screening every three years. Women who are 50 to 64 years old are invited every five years. Make sure that your GP surgery has your up-to-date contact details so that you continue getting screening invitations.

It's important that you attend your smear tests even if you have been vaccinated for HPV, because the vaccine does not guarantee protection against cervical cancer.

If you have been treated for abnormal cervical cell changes, you will be invited for screening more frequently for several years after treatment. How regularly you need to go will depend on how severe the cell change is.

Although it can spot most abnormal cell changes in the cervix, cervical screening is not always 100% accurate. Therefore, you should report symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding to your GP even if you have recently been tested.

Cervical cancer vaccination

The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination protects against the two strains of virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.

Girls are offered the childhood immunisation programme. The vaccine is given to girls when they're 12 to 13 years old, with three doses given over a six-month period.

Although the HPV vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer, it does not guarantee you won't develop the condition. You should still attend cervical screening tests even if you have had the vaccine.

Avoid smoking

You can reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer by not smoking. People who smoke are less able to get rid of the HPV infection from the body, which can develop into cancer.

If you decide to stop smoking, your GP will be able to refer you to the NHS Stop Smoking Service, which gives you help and advice about the best ways to give up smoking.

You can also call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044. The specially trained helpline staff can offer you free expert advice and encouragement.

If you want to give up smoking but you don't want to be referred to a stop smoking service, your GP should be able to prescribe medical treatment to help with any withdrawal symptoms that you may experience after giving up.

For more information and advice about giving up smoking, see stopping smoking and treatments for stopping smoking.