[blah]

Can you get cervical cancer if you're a virgen? I just wanted to know, because I heard awhile back that there might be a law requiring girls age 13 and up to get the Gardisil vaccine.

[sophie]

A virgin can get cervical cancer just as a non-smoker can get lung cancer. However, women who participate in unprotected sex have a higher risk of contracting HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). HPV is known to lead to cervical cancer.

[Lisa H]

sexual contact is one way of getting cervical cancer, but not the only way. it can also be caused by smoking, oral contraceptives, etc. the law requiring gardisil is probably because one of the causes of the cancer is early sexual contact and multiple partners. it can be contracted by the HPV virus which is sexually transmitted.

I think it is possible to get cervical cancer even if you are a virgin. You can get breast cancer even if you have never breastfed a baby before. The vaccine is still pretty new, I don't foresee a Law forcing young girls to receive the injection anytime in the near future. Just remember, once you are sexually active you should start to see a Gynecologist, and pap smears should be part of your routine check-up.

Over 94% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Human Papilloma Virus. There are four types of HPV that are responsible for this. HPV is a sexually transmitted disiese, caused by having too many partners. The Ph levels brought on by multiple partners to your cervix is what causes cell abnormalty. You can still get cervical cancer while a virgin, but the percentages of actual cases are extremely low, about less than 4%. Those cases are usually metastatic (transfered) from ovarian or uterine cancers. Though, I believe in vaccinating to keep ones self protected, the easiest way to be protected from HPV is safe sex, using a condom. If you believe you are going to be sexually active, and not use protection, then the vaccine is the way to go. But ONLY in the case of HPV. Even with the Guardasil vaccine, you can still contract an STD or get pregnant. So your best bet around all of these is to use a condom every time.

cervical cancer is often caused by a few strains of HPV. Unlike what someone said HPV's are not STI's and a condom will not protect you from them. when you have intercourse you get different strains of HPV, most are harmless ( i dont really kno much about them), but others can casue cervical cancer. Young girls are vaccinated against the main strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer, becuase the vaccine is more effective if the girl has never had sex, if the girl has had sex then they most likely have some strains of HPV , even the ones that can cause cervical cancer, but just because they have a cervical cancer strain of HPV doesnt mean they will get cervical cancer either. the vaccine just helps protect against the main strains that cause cervical cancer but it does not guarentee that you will not get cervial cancer, so pap smears are still required. the vaccine is only avaliable to those under 26 becasue once sexual intercourse has taken place many times the women already has many HPV types, so there is no point the government funding the vaccination program in older people. there may also be other negative affects in older women. the vaccine is not compulsory, yet, but it is a good idea, before a girl has intercourse.

[jenniferstone20]

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. It is much less common in the United States because of the routine use of Pap smears.

Cervical cancers start in the cells on the surface of the cervix. There are two types of cells on the cervix's surface: squamous and columnar. Most cervical cancers are from squamous cells.

Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. This precancerous condition can be detected by a Pap smear and is 100% treatable. That is why it is so important for women to get regular Pap smears. Most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer today have not had regular Pap smears or they have not followed up on abnormal Pap smear results.

Undetected precancerous changes can develop into cervical cancer and spread to the bladder, intestines, lungs, and liver. It can take years for precancerous changes to turn into cervical cancer. Patients with cervical cancer do not usually have problems until the cancer is advanced and has spread.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse. There are many different types of HPV. Some strains lead to cervical cancer. (Other strains may cause genital warts, while others do not cause any problems at all.)

Risk factors for cervical cancer include:

* Having sex at an early age
* Multiple sexual partners
* Poor economic status (may not be able to afford regular Pap smears)
* Sexual partners who have multiple partners or who participate in high-risk sexual activities
* Women whose mothers took the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy in the early 1960s to prevent miscarriage
* Weakened immune system