New Delhi: Every fourth
death due to cervical cancer occurs in India, and by 2025 the death rate
could increase by 70%, data published by Internal Agency for Research
on Cancer shows. The reasons for this surge in cervical cancer cases
range from unprotected sex with multiple partners to early sexual
activity and poor genital hygiene. Doctors say a few precautions can
help women avoid the disease.
"Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV); it's sexually transmitted. Women who have had more than one sexual partner in their lifetime or have intercourse with a man who has had more than one partner, are likely to be infected," said Dr GK Rath, who heads the BRA Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS. "Practising good genital hygiene can lower the risk by more than 50%," he added.
According to Dr Aasha Sharma, head of the gynaecology department at Rockland Hospital, girls who have sex at a young age are also at higher risk. "Early exposure to HPV increases the risk of cervical cancer as it increases the overall time frame that the virus has to influence the development of abnormal cancerous cells," she said. Sharma stressed the need for HPV vaccination.
Dr Suversha Khanna, executive director of Dharmshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, said early diagnosis has made fighting cervical cancer easier in developed nations. "Regular gynaecological checkups and specific tests like pap smear after a woman becomes sexually active can help in early diagnosis."
Early stages of the cancer bring on symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods, pain during intercourse or bleeding afterwards, pelvic pain and weight loss. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. "In the early stages, it can be treated by a cone biopsy, which involves removing a part of the cervix. However, in advanced cases, a major surgery involving removal of the uterus is necessary. This may be combined with radiation and chemotherapy," said an expert.
He added that in some cases the entire treatment revolves around radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy.
"Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV); it's sexually transmitted. Women who have had more than one sexual partner in their lifetime or have intercourse with a man who has had more than one partner, are likely to be infected," said Dr GK Rath, who heads the BRA Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS. "Practising good genital hygiene can lower the risk by more than 50%," he added.
According to Dr Aasha Sharma, head of the gynaecology department at Rockland Hospital, girls who have sex at a young age are also at higher risk. "Early exposure to HPV increases the risk of cervical cancer as it increases the overall time frame that the virus has to influence the development of abnormal cancerous cells," she said. Sharma stressed the need for HPV vaccination.
Dr Suversha Khanna, executive director of Dharmshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, said early diagnosis has made fighting cervical cancer easier in developed nations. "Regular gynaecological checkups and specific tests like pap smear after a woman becomes sexually active can help in early diagnosis."
Early stages of the cancer bring on symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods, pain during intercourse or bleeding afterwards, pelvic pain and weight loss. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. "In the early stages, it can be treated by a cone biopsy, which involves removing a part of the cervix. However, in advanced cases, a major surgery involving removal of the uterus is necessary. This may be combined with radiation and chemotherapy," said an expert.
He added that in some cases the entire treatment revolves around radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy.
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