How is cervical cancer prevented?

• The best time to get the vaccine is in adolescent age group before commencing sexual activity.
• The HPV vaccine prevents most HPV. The vaccine can be given to women (and men) up to age 26 if they didn’t get it earlier.
• Routine screening is also important. Women ages 21 to 65 should get regular cervical cancer screening. Depending on a woman’s age, this can be done with Pap smear tests, HPV tests, or both. The tests can find abnormal cells early. The cells can be treated before they turn into cancer..