Cervical Dysplasia Prevention

Prevention

Life-style modifications:

Safe sex methods to prevent HPV infection
Regular pap smears at age 18 or at the onset of sexual activity, whichever comes first
If you smoke, quit

Vaccine

Gardasil is the first vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent:

Cervical cancer
Precancerous genital lesions
Genital warts due to certain types of HPV

The vaccine is approved for use in females aged 9-26 years old. It is given as a series of three injections. They are given over a 6-month period. There is a catch-up schedule as well. The vaccine blocks four types of HPV:

Types16 and 18—responsible for the development of cervical cancer
Types 6 and 11—responsible for genital warts

The vaccine has also been helpful for women that are already infected. It helps to reduce the disease in women in some cases.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.