Now that we know what to look for to identify potential signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, we can decide what actions are necessary to hopefully prevent cervical cancer, or if necessary, treat it effectively. Awareness opens the door to action in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer. Actions to combat cervical cancer can be taken by individuals, the community, and policymakers.
Individual Actions
Individuals can do their part to combat cervical cancer by doing the following:
- Staying up to date with cervical screenings
- Seeking HPV vaccination once it has been determined that they are eligible
- Pay attention to symptoms and seek care promptly
When individuals take these actions, they increase their likelihood of preventing cervical cancer. Early detection can lead to identifying cell changes that could develop into cancer if left untreated, and giving individuals the opportunity to have them removed before cancer develops. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV.4
Community Actions
Actions by communities have the potential to have greater impact. Communities and institutions can work to:
- Promote accurate, stigma-free information
- Support outreach and education programs
- Advocate for accessible, affordable preventive services
Supportive communities provide the opportunity for groups to share information and outreach that can help to remove stigma from vaccines and sexually transmitted infections. These outreach efforts educate the community, encourage healthy behaviors, and help people to seek out medical care when they are experiencing symptoms. Communities can provide platforms to advocate for accessible, affordable preventive services while gaining the attention of policymakers and health systems.
Policymaker Actions
Additionally, efforts by policymakers and health systems play a critical role in the battle and can make beneficial impacts by:
- Investing in vaccination and screening programs
- Strengthening primary healthcare services
- Prioritizing women’s health equity
Policymakers have the power to make policies that encourage changes in our health care systems. When they work with health systems in good faith, beneficial outcomes are possible. These efforts look like investments in programs that target prevention, build strong health care services, and ensure that everyone has the ability to receive the care they need regardless of gender, sex, or race and/or ethnicity.
Cervical cancer is not inevitable. It is a preventable, detectable, and treatable disease that does less harm when health systems work, when communities are informed, and when individuals take action. When we turn awareness into action at individual, community, and policy levels we can save more lives and protect future generations from cervical cancer. We know the tools exist and the evidence is clear. Now is the time to act.
Resources
References
- Cervical cancer fact sheet for health professionals. American Cancer Society. Updated November 2025. Accessed January 20, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/booklets-flyers/cervical-cancer-fact-sheet.pdf
- Cervical cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published December 11, 2024. Accessed January 20, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/prevention/index.html
- Cervical cancer. World Health Organization. December 2, 2025. Accessed January 20, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
- HPV Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published August 20, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/index.html
- Updated cervical cancer screening guidelines. American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Updated April 2021. Accessed January 20, 2026. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2021/04/updated-cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines
Public Health Matters 
Leave a comment