This year in the United States alone, roughly 10,000 women will be diagnosed with, and roughly 4,000 women will die from cervical cancer. Thankfully, screening has lowered the risk that pre-cancerous changes will progress to cancer, yet, cervical cancer still takes the lives of too many of our mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, and dear friends. What can we do to lower risk?
1. Have regular Pap smears, and other follow-up as recommended. A study last month demonstrated that those individuals without insurance are twice as likely to die from cancer. Some of these deaths are related to inadequate screening and detection of cancer at a treatable stage.
If you do not have adequate insurance coverage to afford a Pap smear, many states offer these free of charge. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, has a site where individuals can search for low-cost or free Pap smears by state. This is available at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp, or by calling 1-888-842-6355 (option #7).
2. If you are diagnosed with HPV, try these dietary recommendations that may accelerate clearance of the virus, and hence, its ability to lead to cancer.
3. Consider switching to sanitary napkins instead of tampons if you are diagnosed with high risk HPV. In one study, the use of tampons appeared to slow clearance of the HPV virus.
4. Of course, practice safe sex. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. Condoms reduce, but do not eliminate the transmission of HPV.
5. Thoughtfully consider the cervical cancer vaccine based on your risk factors. Though controversy exists regarding vaccination against HPV, the vaccine could potentially lower the risk of developing cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer in women worldwide.
For further information on cancer prevention, a disease that will personally touch one in three women - buy Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time.
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