What do you need to know about cervical Cancer?

The cervix is also known as the neck of the uterus. Cancer of cervix is the 2nd most common cancer seen in females contributing to 18.3% of all female cancers in Indian women. More than 1 lakh new cases are being diagnosed per year in India. Approximately 77,000 women lose their lives to this cancer per year in India. This cancer affects women between 35-45 years of age.

The most common symptoms are abnormal uterine bleeding and post coital bleeding more specifically. Other symptoms can be a foul smelling discharge from the vagina, weight loss, swelling in the legs, etc. Factors like early start of sexual activity, younger age at marriage, more than 5 lifetime sexual partners, multiple childbirths, poor hygiene, infections with sexually transmitted diseases, and oral contraceptive use make women high risk for cervical cancer.

Unfortunately patients present at an advanced stage to the hospital for which treatments like radiotherapy with chemotherapy can achieve cure rates of 40-50%. However if a patient comes at an early stage, surgery can achieve a cure rate of up to 90%.

This cancer has a long preinvasive phase due to which detection of cervical lesions which lead to the development of cervical cancer in future and treating them can totally prevent this cancer.

Thus, screening asymptomatic women plays an essential role. A simple and painless test called as Pap smear done at regular intervals can help in reducing the burden of cervical cancer significantly. Since 99% of cervical cancers arise from persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, vaccination against HPV has the potential to eliminate cervical cancer. If given at appropriate age before the start of sexual activity to adolescent girls, vaccine efficacy approaches 100% in preventing type specific HPV persistence.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccinating girls between 9-14 years of age with 2 doses of HPV vaccine and girls of age 15years or above  up to 26 years can be vaccinated with 3 doses of HPV vaccine. This vaccine is highly effective and safe to use. It is highly commendable that India will have its indigenous vaccine against HPV available very soon. Thus consult your Gynaecologist/Gynecological Oncologist today.