Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated: May 12, 2017, 5:02 PM
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January is the month of Cervical Cancer awareness. As per WHO report of 2012, around 2,66,000 women lost their lives to the disease. Cervical cancer is one of the easiest to detect and treat, but the key is to understand your body well, to be vigilant and to get yourself screened regularly. Dr Bhoman Dhabar, Medical Oncologist, Hemato-Oncologist Fortis Hospital, Mulund, suggests few things every woman should be aware of.
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Every woman should undergo regular screenings once she is sexually active as HPV is transmitted through sexual activity. This is the reason, why it is important for women in the age group of 20 years - 50 years, to be screened at least once in every two-three years.
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Vaccination is an effective way to safeguard women at a young age (between the ages of 12 years and 13 years). However, vaccinations do not always guarantee immunity to cervical cancer but may lower the risk, which means that there is still a risk of cervical cancer even after vaccination.
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If you are above 50 years of age, then make sure you get screened at least once in every four or five years. The risk of cervical cancer is higher in woman who have had multiple pregnancies or woman who have a family history of cancer.
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If you are over 65 years of age and have had regular screenings done with no cause of concern identified previously, you don’t need to get yourself tested for cervical cancer.
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It is important that every woman must look out for symptoms of cervical cancer such as pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the pelvis, abnormal menstrual bleeding or excessive menstrual bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge or unexplained weight loss, which can help in early diagnosis and treatment.
