Know about most common cancer affecting women in India: Cervical Cancer

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(Free-Press-Release.com) February 11, 2012 -- Indian women have the tendency to live in their own jolly good world. They don’t feel the need to acknowledge a deadly disease till the time they are not found suffering from it. As a result, not many Indian women know that they stand at the risk of developing cervical cancer the most.

Now, you would wonder what exactly “Cervical Cancer” is, it is the cancer of the mouth of the uterus called cervix.

It is the commonest cancer in India and all sexually active women are at a risk of contracting this disease. The recent study done by World Health Organisation, reveals that every year 1,32,082 women are diagnosed with this particular kind of cancer and 74,118 die from the disease.

“The main problem with Indian women is that they live with a mentality that they can’t suffer from any disease like cancer. It is high time they acknowledge and gain the required knowledge,” said Dr. Anshuman Kumar, Senior Oncosurgeon at Dharamshila Cancer Hospital.

Dr. Anshuman also reveals the basic symptoms that one can look for.

“Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include--

“Bleeding from the vagina that seems not normal or a change in your menstrual cycle that you can't explain. Bleeding when something comes in contact with your cervix, such as during sex or when you put in a diaphragm.”
“The Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse, vaginal discharge that is tinged with blood-- these are the basic symptoms that a women can look for herself. And if she finds herself guilty from any, she should consult her gynecologist at the earliest,” she added.

Experts say that age seems to play a definite role as “cervical cancer” is more common in 40 plus women and quite rare in women less then 15 years of age.

“Cervical Cancer” seems to be more pronounced as age progresses which might be due to the simple reason that after women reach the menopause many of them think that there is no more need for a Pap Smear Test. But is quiet surprising to know that every year, more than 70,000 women die cause of it.

After you have rectified, it is important to know about the prevention measures.

“The disease can be prevented through HPV vaccines, regular pap-smear testing and cervical cancer vaccine,” said Dr. Anshuman.

“Cervical cancer vaccine is the first vaccine ever designed to prevent cancer. It is recommended to girls aged 11 to 12 years as it allows a girl's immune system to be activated before she's likely to encounter HPV. “

The other aspects which hold importance are,

Delay sex: Waiting to have sex until you are older can help you avoid HPV. It also helps to limit your number of sexual partners and to avoid having sex with someone who has had many other sexual partners.

Personal hygiene: It is a very important factor which every woman needs to take utmost care of. Specially, women who are into a profession where they indulge themselves in multiple- intercourse—they need to stay clean and healthy all the time to reduce the chanced of cervical cancer.

Use condoms: Condoms when used correctly can lower the HPV infection rate by about 70%. They can't protect one completely because they don't cover every possible HPV-infected area of the body, such as the skin of the genital or the anal area.

The three important tests that are recommended by doctors are Pap test, HVP test and Colposcopy test.

Pap test: Cells are collected from the surface of the cervix and checked on a slide. This test is available at most hospitals and clinics and its cost varies from Rs 250 to Rs 500.

HPV test: Doctors take DNA cells by swabbing the cervix. "The HPV test is ideal for the detection of cervical cancer. It is slightly more accurate than the pap test, but is not recommended for woman below 30 years of age. This test is available at all major hospitals and costs around Rs 1,500.

Colposcopy test: It enlarges the image of the cervic and the cells can be then seen clearly.

Expert also listed down a few pointers as word of caution.

· Not advisable to have sex at an early age

· Having many sexual partners

· Having many pregnancies

· Using birth control pills for 5 or more years

· Consuming any form of tobacco

Doctors appeal that every woman should undergo yearly pap test when they hit the age of 35, opt for vaccination against HPV for every girl aged 9-11 years and underlined the importance of women's health as the cornerstone of a healthy family.

cervical cancer women