Preventing cervical cancer includes vaccination against HPV, avoiding HPV exposure, cervical dysplasia screening, and avoiding smoking. In the US, the HPV vaccine is recommended in girls and women ages 9 through 45 for the prevention of cervical cancer.﻿﻿ If primary HPV testing isn’t available, an HPV test with a Pap test (co-testing) every 5 years, or a Pap test alone every 3 years is acceptable.﻿﻿