Protective Factors

Safe sex - using a condom during sex is the best way to protect yourself against infection with HPV.

Cervical smear test - Regular tests are important in detecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pre-cancerous cell-change early on.

Vaccine - The HPV vaccine is arguably the greatest protection now available. It is routinely offered to girls aged between 12 and 13, and it also protects against cervical cancer. Because not all vulval cancers are caused by HPV, the vaccine will not prevent all cases, but it should help to prevent VIN and many vulval cancers.