Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, after breast cancer. DR PRIYA BHATI tells us how we can stay safe among other things
Cervix is the narrow passage which forms the lower end of the uterus. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women, after breast cancer. It usually happens in the age group of 40-50 years and unfortunately, most of the patients end up presenting in advanced stages. The bright side however is that this disease usually provides a long window for its detection in early stages. It is one of the few cancers that is largely preventable.
The warning symptoms are usually an excessive or smelly vaginal discharge, or unusual bleeding from the vagina. This bleeding can happen in between periods, or as heavy bleeding during periods. Bleeding after intercourse is an important warning sign as well. Rarely, pain in the lower abdomen, blood stained urine might also occur. Any of these symptoms should prompt a gynecological check up without delay. In its early stages, it is treated by surgery, and more advanced stages are generally treated with radiation and chemotherapy, or a combination of these.
Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This particular virus infects almost everyone after they become sexually active, but 90 per cent of people will clear the virus within one to two years of getting infected. Hence, just having the virus does not mean one is going to get cancer.
There are robust screening tests available for picking up the early disease. Two such tests are the pap smear and HPV test. Both these tests are easily and widely available, affordable and done on an outpatient basis, without much discomfort. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all women above the age of 30 should get screened, and get routine screening every few years to enable doctors to pick up this deadly disease in its nascent stages.
Another very important aspect to consider and understand is the need for HPV vaccination. Talking about the sexual health of our children is still a taboo in our country, which we need to break. Making them aware of safe sexual practices is an important discussion that the children need to be involved in. Vaccinating the children against a sexually acquired virus can be a difficult conversation in a lot of families, but it is the need of the hour. HPV vaccine is recommended for all young adolescent girls aged 9-14 years of age by the WHO. The vaccine can also be given to boys aged 11-12 years. The vaccine is most effective when given before the onset of sexual activity. Young immune systems are more responsive to vaccines, thereby providing better protection.
The writer is Gynae oncology surgeon, Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi