When it comes to Cervical Cancer, we all need to support and defend ourselves! How can you do this? By taking some time to think about how you might be putting yourself at risk for Cervical Cancer, and what you can do to reduce these risks. You may be surprised to learn some of the ways you’re putting yourself at risk, so read on!
 
You’re in the Driver’s Seat
You need to take responsibility for your health. And, because we're nearly all at risk for Cervical Cancer that means doing what you can to limit your risk. Unfortunately, many of us don’t even realize that some surprising things are actually linked to Cevical Cancer if you've been exposed to HPV, like smoking and birth control. To try and limit your risk of Cervical Cancer, consider these lifestyle changes that may help:

	Kick the Habit – Smoking can increase your risk of developing Cervical Cancer, so what are you waiting for? Say goodbye to smoking forever and help yourself stay healthy.
	Control Freak – Birth control is an important part of being an advocate for your own health, but long-term use of oral contraceptives (5 years or more) has been shown to increase the risk of Cervical Cancer.
	Under Wraps – Use barrier protection, such as condoms, during sex to help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary risk factor for Cervical Cancer.

Knowing about the risks and considering what you can do to limit them means you’re on your way to taking care of yourself. Don’t forget, protecting yourself from Cervical Cancer isn’t something you should think about, it’s something you should act on!
 
Don’t Be Scared of Commitment
You’ve come this far, so don’t give up now. Take the next step and make a commitment to yourself to play an active role in your own health. The more involved you are, the more you can help protect yourself, and other women who you care about, from Cervical Cancer.  Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

	Be Responsible – Get pap smears regularly. Talk with your ob/gyn about how often you need to get tested. Remember, there are different types of gynecological cancer, but Cervical Cancer is one of the female cancers you can potentially prevent through screening.
	Learn More – Continue to find out as much as you can about Cervical Cancer.  Use all the resource available to you, from this Web site to your ob/gyn and beyond.
	Keep Talking – Maintain strong communication with your ob/gyn about any questions that you may have about Cervical Cancer and how to protect yourself.
	Spread the Word – Make sure your girlfriends and female family members are doing what they can to protect themselves. Share all that you’ve learned about Cervical Cancer, the risk factors and what can be done to prevent it.

The fact that you’re reading this now means you care about your health and your future. So take these tips to heart and share them with your friends, too. By knowing how you may be putting yourself at risk and doing what you can to reduce those risks, you’re taking a big step. Remember, looking after yourself and those you care about is important, especially when it comes to Cervical Cancer!