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Top 10 Facts about Cervical Cancer

 
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Smoking Increases Risk

In addition to high-risk human papillomavirus exposure, smoking doubles a woman’s chance of developing cervical cancer. There is a higher risk of developing cervical cancer among women who have AIDS, suppressed immune systems, have had or currently have chlamydia, are overweight, consume a diet low in fruits and vegetables, or take oral contraceptives longer than five years. The risk decreases after birth control pills are stopped. Other risk factors include a family history of cervical cancer, a full-term pregnancy before the age of 17 and three or more full-term pregnancies.

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Technically Gardasil does not have a booster shot. The vaccine is administered in a series of three shots similar to the DPT that infants receive for protection against Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus which then has a separate booster later on. In addition Gardasil does not protct against most types of HPV that cause cancer. Instead, it protects against two of the high risk strains which cause 70% of cervical cancers. Aside from cervical dysplasia and/or cancer prevention, the vaccine also protects against vaginal, vulvar, penile and anal dysplasias and/or cancer.

August 10, 2011 - 4:12am

Depending upon which research you utilize, the percentage of individuals whose immune system fails to control the virus such that it enters a dormancy state ranges from 15 to 40%. Most research states 30% of HPV infections will not resolve on their and persist, potentially resulting in abnormal effects of the cells causing dysplasia which can further progress to cancer in many cases if untreated.

August 10, 2011 - 4:00am
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