Poonan Pandey died due to cervical cancer at the age of 32. Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer diagnose in women in India and accounts for 10% of all cancers in women.
Cervical Cancer is now the 8th most commonly occurring cancer globally and the 9th leading cause of cancer death, with 6,61,044 new cases and 3,48,186 deaths that happen in 2023.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), that connects to the vagina.
Before the cancer appears in the cervix, the cells go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and then to the surrounding areas.
Cervical Cancer is cause when a person has a sexually transmitted infection by a Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
But in some cases, the virus is remove by the body’s immune system, in other cases, if the virus is an HPV 16 or HPV 18, two of the most high-risk viruses, the chances of cervical cancer jump.
HPV is a group of 200 related viruses.
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly all sexually active people are infect with HPV at some point in their lives.
While most HPV infections don’t cause cancer, some types of infections can persist.
Experts caution that in many cases, cervical cancer might not show apparent signs in the early stages.
So, as the infection spreads and abnormal cells grow, the symptoms begin to show in the form of unusual vaginal bleeding, including post-coital bleeding, bleeding between periods or after menopause, watery or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain, especially during intercourse.
How to Detect Cervical Cancer?
A pap test can detect cancer cells in the cervix.
This test can also detect abnormal cells that might change and become cancerous.
Testing for cervical cancer should begin as early as 21 to 29 years with screening intervals ranging from 3 to 5 years, based on results.
Cervical Cancer is Preventable or not
Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease.
It can be manage and cure effectively if it is detect early.
To prevent cervical cancer is by getting vaccinated.
HPV vaccines are safe and crucial in preventing this type of cancer.
India’s first HPV vaccine call as Cervavac was launch in January 2023.
Cervical Cancer targets 4 types of HPV infections.
Treatment of Cervical Cancer
As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cervical cancer is treated in many ways, which include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
As FM Nirmala Sitharaman, during the Budget 2024-25 speech in Parliament on 1st February 2024, announce that the government encourage the vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer.
WARNING : If the problem isn’t solved by lifestyle changes alone then don’t hesitate to consult a doctor as this article is for knowledge base.
