Cervical Cancer: Why Is It So Important To Screen The Mother, Vaccinate The Daughter
Cervical cancer presents itself slowly, and hence regular screening gives us many opportunities to curb or impede the pre-cancerous cells.
Cervical cancer has beaten breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in India; it kills around 33,000 women every year in India. Cervical cancer is known to occur because of a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) transmitted through sexual contact. Bad local hygiene, too many children, not enough spacing between children, low nutrition levels and early marriage all contribute to the risk factors. The high risk group includes girls who have had premature sex as teenagers, those who have had multiple pregnancies or multiple sex partners and don’t use contraceptives. The disease remains asymptomatic for a long time till it starts invading neighbouring tissues.
Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer in Indian women and a quarter of the world’s cervical cancer patients live in India!Caused by infection with the Human Papilloma Virus( HPV), cervical cancer involves the opening of the uterus into the vagina. It occurs more commonly in women who start sexual activity at a young age and is also more common in women with many childbirths and partners.
Here are some of the risk factors about which every woman should be aware of.
In early stages (even in the precancerous stages), cervical cancers usually do not cause symptoms. Only during the later stages of cancer is when one or more of these symptoms may be noticeable:
The process of transformation of a precancerous state to cervical cancer takes approximately 10 years or more. During this period, a simple test called Pap smear can detect this precancerous state.
Pap smears are recommended for all sexually active women, the test being repeated at three yearly intervals if normal and at 5 yearly intervals if both Pap smear and testing for high risk strains of HPV are negative.
VIA, a simple test, which basically consists of applying vinegar to the cervix and then inspecting it, can be easily administered by health workers. In a landmark study by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, mass screening of women was found to reduce the risk of dying due to cervical cancer by a whopping 30 %. It is known that mass screening for cervical cancer once in 10 years can reduce the incidence of this disease by 60 %!
The affected area of the cervix can be effectively treated by a gynecologist using simple treatment methods. Here are some of the treatment options for cervical cancer:
Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery and laser surgery.
The treatment options for women with cervical cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of two or more of these methods.
Here is a detailed information on the various treatment options for cervical cancer.
When followed up and treated properly, pre-cancerous conditions of cervical cancer are completely curable. There is 92% chance of a five-year survival for cancer that has spread to the inside of the cervix walls but not outside the cervix area. The five-year survival rate falls steadily as the cancer spreads into other areas.
Here are are a few things you can do to prevent cervical cancer:
Cervical cancer presents itself slowly, and hence regular screening gives us many opportunities to curb or impede the pre-cancerous cells.
Dr Sruthi Mayura Thiruvengidom shares that it is imperative to know the potential symptoms of cervical cancer and how early detection can help.
Can the HPV vaccine prevent cervical cancer?
The decline in cervical cancer in developed countries can be attributed to improved screening measures, vaccines, and awareness.
Women above 30 should consider Pap testing every five years if paired with HPV co-testing.
Know the early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
WHO recommends DNA testing as a first-choice screening method for cervical cancer prevention.
Knowing what can make infections and cervical cancer more likely are essential for developing effective prevention tactics for lowering risk.
HPV vaccinations can protect against high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the problems they can cause, Cervical Cancer.
In 2020, around 21 per cent of the total cervical cases and 23 per cent of deaths from cervical cancer worldwide occurred in India.
There is growing evidence that transgender women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery might have got a neo-cervix as a result of the surgery and might also lie at risk of developing cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is alone not able cause the cancer but there are additional lifestyle factors that might contribute, says the expert
Regular cervical cancer screenings can help detect the deadly cancer early and tackle it on time. Know the difference between Pap test and HPV test.
"Since 1980s sperm banking has been the mainstay of preserving fertility for cancer survivors" Dr Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson of radiation oncology, Cancer Center, Medanta The Medicity.
Owing to poor hygiene, lack of awareness and inadequate screening, the incidence of cervical cancer is higher in rural India than it is in urban India.
Chances of getting cervical cancer don't stop at HPV Vaccinations. Here is why cervical cancer screening is important and women should opt for it even if they are vaccinated.
Did you know cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women? Dr Neha Kumar explains it all in an exclusive chat with The Health site.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the healthcare system has been suffering. Cancer detection and treatment, particularly cervical cancer, have also been delayed. Here's how you should deal with it during the pandemic.
Cervical cancer presents itself slowly, and hence regular screening gives us many opportunities to curb or impede the pre-cancerous cells.
Dr Sruthi Mayura Thiruvengidom shares that it is imperative to know the potential symptoms of cervical cancer and how early detection can help.
Can the HPV vaccine prevent cervical cancer?
The decline in cervical cancer in developed countries can be attributed to improved screening measures, vaccines, and awareness.
Women above 30 should consider Pap testing every five years if paired with HPV co-testing.
Know the early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
WHO recommends DNA testing as a first-choice screening method for cervical cancer prevention.
Knowing what can make infections and cervical cancer more likely are essential for developing effective prevention tactics for lowering risk.
HPV vaccinations can protect against high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the problems they can cause, Cervical Cancer.
In 2020, around 21 per cent of the total cervical cases and 23 per cent of deaths from cervical cancer worldwide occurred in India.
There is growing evidence that transgender women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery might have got a neo-cervix as a result of the surgery and might also lie at risk of developing cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is alone not able cause the cancer but there are additional lifestyle factors that might contribute, says the expert
Regular cervical cancer screenings can help detect the deadly cancer early and tackle it on time. Know the difference between Pap test and HPV test.
"Since 1980s sperm banking has been the mainstay of preserving fertility for cancer survivors" Dr Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson of radiation oncology, Cancer Center, Medanta The Medicity.
Owing to poor hygiene, lack of awareness and inadequate screening, the incidence of cervical cancer is higher in rural India than it is in urban India.
Chances of getting cervical cancer don't stop at HPV Vaccinations. Here is why cervical cancer screening is important and women should opt for it even if they are vaccinated.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the healthcare system has been suffering. Cancer detection and treatment, particularly cervical cancer, have also been delayed. Here's how you should deal with it during the pandemic.
Cervical cancer arises in the cells of the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vaginal canal. Here are some important facts concerning cervical cancer.
Stay aware of the everyday activities that are developing cancer risk for you.
Nobody can tell you how to safeguard yourself from this deadly disease, but these preventive measures can provide some resistance to the cancer
Knowing the risk factors might help you take the right precaution.
Bleeding after sex or menopause is not normal!
Keep these few points in mind to be aware of cervical cancer and learn how to lower your risk.
While every woman experiences vaginal discharge at some point, in some cases along with other symptoms, it could indicate either sexually transmitted infections or either one of these six diseases.
November is no-shave month for cancer awareness. If you are over 30, you MUST know these symptoms!
When it comes to health, women are different than men in several ways. Although this holds true genetically for women and men all over the world, the difference is largely seen in the Indian population because of the social and traditional aspect. Indian women are well-known for the tendency to ignore their own health. But the good news is that most health risks in women are preventable if the factors leading to them are identified. So, find out which of these things you need to work on to maximize your health.
A few small lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing cancer. Read how!
Did you know cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women? Dr Neha Kumar explains it all in an exclusive chat with The Health site.
Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
