A risk factor is anything that affects your chances of getting a particular disease. Some of these risk factors can be controlled. The risk factors that you can’t control includes genetics or family history, and environmental exposures or behaviors that occurred in the past. I think about my family history a lot when it comes to diseases. So many of my family members have high blood pressure. My grandfather died from cancer. These things can be scary, All you can do is keep your health in good standards by exercising regularly, eating healthy, and going to your doctor appointments.
There are many lifestyle choices you can make in your life to decrease your modifiable risk for cervical cancer. It is a great idea to have your yearly screenings done. Screening tests, or early detection, are designed to find cancer when it’s most likely to be treatable. When you have screenings done earlier is better. Pap smears can be performed every three years, only for women that are not high risk and for those who have a history of abnormal pap smears. Not smoking lowers your risk of several cancers including cervical cancer, and improves your overall health. I make sure I have my pap smear done on a regular basis. Screening for cervical cancer is recommended for all women who have ever been sexually active; it is especially for those at higher risk for the disease. Although cancer can often be treated, in most cases the treatment is only partially effective. And the side effects are often