Cervical cancer can be prevented.

Encourage your daughters to get a Pap test every 1 to 3 years once they are sexually active

Having a Pap test helps find early changes in the cervix before it develops into cervical cancer.  Event with the new HPV vaccine, regular Pap tests are needed.  It could save a life.

For more information about cervical cancer and how your daughter can reduce her risk, download a freee copy of the Canadian Cancer Society's brochure, Cervical Cancer:  How to redue your risk.

With your daughter, talk to her doctor about the HPV vaccine

Because of their potential to reduce the number of cervical cancers diagnosed in Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society believes that HPV vaccines should be available and affordable to the public.

How your daughter can help protect herself against HPV

 
The only sure way to prevent getting Human Papilloma (pap-uh-LO-muh) Virus (HPV) infection is to avoid sexual contact. If your daughter is sexually active, encourage her to:

• have as few sexual partners as possible
• be in a relationship with one person who has also had as few sexual partners as possible
• use a condom before any skin-to-skin contact 

What is the HPV Vaccine?

A vaccine (Gardasil) that protects against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 is available in Canada. A vaccine (Ceravix) that only protects against HPV 16 and 18 is being reviewed for approval and may become available. The vaccines prevent infection in young women who have not already been exposed to the HPV types that the vaccines cover. The vaccines work best when given to young women before they become sexually active.  HPV vaccines do not treat HPV infections or cure cancers related to HPV.