Intermountain Health offers 3 ways to reduce risk for cervical cancer
KSL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), but HPV vaccinations, combined with regular screening and checkups, significantly reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends HPV vaccination for boys and girls aged 9-12, with vaccines available up to age 45; over 135 million doses have been safely administered in the U.S.
- Pap smear screenings should begin at age 21, with frequency varying by age group, and new FDA-approved at-home HPV test options are available for women over 30 to improve screening accessibility.
- Risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, and weakened immune systems; early detection improves five-year survival rates to over
