Cervical Cancer: Prevention

HPV vaccination is the most important and effective preventive measure against cervical carcinoma (see primary prevention below).

Furthermore, to prevent cervical cancer, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.

Behavioral risk factors

  • High parity (number of births).
  • Nutrition
    • Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients.
  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Tobacco (smoking)
  • Poor genital hygiene

Primary prevention

  • HPV vaccination against high-risk HPV types 16 and 18.This vaccination prevents at least 70% of cervical cancers. In Germany, the insurance company covers the vaccination for girls from 9-17 years of age.Note: The available HPV vaccines now contain active ingredients against nine virus types.
  • Avoidance or reduction of genital infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) by:
    • Consistent use of condoms
    • Sexual abstinence
  • According to the results of a meta-analysis, an intrauterine device reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer by 36%.

Secondary prevention

Secondary prevention is characterized by:

  • Reduction of individual risk factors (see above).
  • Cancer screening tests (see below laboratory diagnostics).
    • Cytological smear collection if possible under colposcopic control (cervical endoscopy).
    • HPV collection with differentiation of low-risk HPV types, high-risk HPV types.
  • Other risk factors
    • Positive HPV test (esp. in women > 30 years) – increased risk of cervical dysplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/CIN).
    • Prostitution