Cancer Care Ontario reports that if abnormal cells are present, every six months is the best place to immediately remove them before cancer develops. This schedule may seem excessive, but failing to get screened when your life is at stake can mean the difference between being healthy and being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Protect yourself with vaccinations
In addition to practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly, another way to prevent HPV from turning into cancer is to get vaccinated. The vaccine, available to people as young as 11 to 12 years old, protects people from HPV infection by helping them produce antibodies, special proteins that fight infection.
These antibodies are specifically made to fight the HPV virus. When vaccines and the immune system work together, people are much more likely to avoid long-term infections that can potentially cause cancer.
In Canada, these vaccines are available at your doctor's office, community health clinics, health departments and school health centres. In some cases, such as school-based programs, it may be provided free of charge to those who need it due to the high volume of infections and the fact that it directly causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.