Pap Smears prevent Cervical CancerIf you’ve ever had sex, you’re in danger of developing cervical cancer. A Pap smear is a quick and simple test in which cells are swabbed from your cervix, ‘smeared’ onto a slide, and sent to pathology for testing. The biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer is not being screened regularly. It’s estimated that in up to 90 per cent of cases, two-yearly Pap smears can prevent the most common form of cervical cancer. It can pick up early changes to the cervix, which allows closer monitoring and earlier intervention if needed. Prevention of cervical cancerNew vaccines such as Gardasil are now proving effective at protecting women against common strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes 70 per cent of cervical cancers. However, vaccinated women still need regular pap smears because it doesn’t prevent all cervical cancers.(From Pap Smears) (To Safe Sex) (To Sexually Transmitted Infections) (To Chlamydia) (Back to Home Page)
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