HPV, or human papilloma virus, is a virus that affects mostly women and can cause cancer. Though there are more than 30 types of HPV, only two to four are known to cause cancer. While HPV gets a lot of attention these days, most people with HPV don't know they have it and are free of symptoms. But HPV can turn into cervical cancer in some women. Knowing what to look for is essential.
Instructions
1. Know the symptoms of cervical cancer. While many of the symptoms are indicative of other conditions, a combination of symptoms might indicate that cervical cancer has developed. Some of the main symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal bleeding, an unusually heavy discharge, pelvic pain and pain during urination. Some women also report experiencing bleeding between menstrual cycles, after douching or after sexual intercourse.
2. Get regular pap smears. Cervical cancer is detected through pap smears, so getting regular pap smears is essential. A pap smear can detect immature cancer cells before they turn into cancer, ensuring the patient gets care early. Most women should get pap smears every year or every other year.
3. Get checks more often than a woman without HPV if your doctor recommends it. If you have HPV, often your gynecologist will recommend you get pap smears more often, even as often as every 3 months if you are at a particularly high risk.
4. Educate yourself about HPV and cervical cancer, which can help you to understand your HPV diagnosis and the risks of cervical cancer in someone with a positive HPV test. Good medical care can protect you from a long struggle with cervical cancer, because when the cancer is detected in the early stage the rate of recovery is very high.
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