New Delhi, January 17 (IANS). The risk of cervical cancer is continuously increasing in India and it is no longer just a disease of older women. According to Dr. Meera Pathak, senior medical officer and gynecology expert of Bhangel CHC, every eight minutes a woman dies due to this cancer alone. This figure is very worrying and now there is a need to think seriously about it.
In a special conversation with IANS, Dr. Meera Pathak said that the main cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus), especially its high-risk strains like types 16 and 18. This virus spreads through sex and there are about 200 types. Only a few of these cause cancer. Dr. Pathak explains that about 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by long-term HPV infection.
He told that this possibility is more in some women. For example, women who start sexual activity early, go through puberty early, or have late menopause may develop the disease early. Apart from this, the risk also increases for those who have multiple sexual partners or those who have a history of high parenthood, i.e. giving birth multiple times.
Some lifestyle habits also increase this risk. Smoking, alcohol consumption, long-term use of oral contraceptive pills or any immune system weakening disease such as HIV also increases the risk of cervical cancer.
Now let’s talk about the symptoms. Early signs of cervical cancer are ignored by many women. The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may occur after sex, between periods or after menopause. Another symptom is foul smelling watery discharge, which is often ignored. At the same time, as cancer progresses, symptoms like weight loss, back or waist pain, difficulty in urinating and constipation are seen.
Dr. Pathak advises that women should pay attention to their body’s signals. Do not ignore any unusual bleeding or discharge. Timely testing and caution is the biggest way to prevent this deadly disease.
There are two main ways to prevent cervical cancer. The first is active screening, such as a Pap smear test, which can detect early changes. The second is the HPV vaccine, which protects against both infection and cancer. Doctors suggest that young and middle-aged women should get it done.
If any abnormality is found in the screening, further investigation is done by colposcopy or cervical biopsy. After this, if cancer is found then its staging is done. In the early stages, only surgery (hysterectomy) can be done, while in advanced stages, surgery is given along with radiation or chemotherapy. Based on the staging, the doctor decides the most appropriate treatment.
Dr. Pathak says that awareness is the biggest protection. Many women ignore the initial symptoms and this delay can prove fatal. Therefore, if a woman notices bleeding, strange discharge, back pain or sudden loss in weight, she should immediately contact a doctor.
–IANS
PIM/VC
