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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
On World Cancer Day 2024, here’s all you need to know about cervical cancer screening, Pap smear, importance of HPV tests and 5 ways to prevent it.
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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
World Cancer Day is observed globally on 04 February to raise awareness about cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. Cervical cancer is a significant global health concern, affecting women of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. Cervical cancer is still very common in India, where its incidence and mortality rates are very high, but women can empower themselves to reduce their risk by arming themselves with knowledge and taking preventive actions and identifying potential problems early. Can. (Photo by Shutterstock)
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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2020 that there would be 3,42,000 deaths and 6,04,000 new cases of cervical cancer worldwide each year, making it the fourth most common malignancy in women. It is extremely worrying that India accounts for almost one-fourth of all new cases of cervical cancer worldwide every year, while the mortality rate is almost one-third. Nearly 90% of new cases and deaths reported in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Awareness campaigns are run to help girls (often aged 9–14 years) in high-income countries receive HPV vaccination in addition to routine screening for the detection and treatment of precancerous lesions in women. (Representative image/Shutterstock)
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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
Talking about the causes of cervical cancer in an interview with HT Lifestyle’s Zarafshan Shiraz, Amol Naikwadi, joint managing director and preventive health care expert at Indus Health Plus, highlighted the risk factors – 1. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection : Cervical cancer. Most are caused by ongoing infection with high-risk HPV strains. Sexually transmitted infections such as HPV infection can occur through specific behaviors including having multiple sexual partners and having sex early. 2. Lack of routine screening: The high mortality rate is mostly due to low prevalence of routine cervical cancer screening. Regular screening, such as HPV testing and Pap smears, can identify abnormalities early and allow prompt intervention. 3. Limited vaccination coverage: Cervical cancer can be prevented by HPV vaccination; Nevertheless, vaccination rates in India are still below ideal levels. The incidence of disease can be reduced to a great extent by increasing access to and information about vaccination programs. According to him, preventive measures include – (Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels)
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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
1. Vaccination: HPV vaccination is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer. For optimal efficacy, vaccination campaigns should target young girls before their first sexual experience. Public awareness campaigns and government action are necessary to increase vaccination rates. (symbolic photo)
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2. Regular screening: Regular screening, including HPV testing and Pap smear, is essential for early detection. Women above 21 years of age should get checked on a regular basis every 3 years as recommended by medical authorities. More screening services should be more widely available, especially in rural areas. (file photo)
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3. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle: Encouraging a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and improve general health. Activities such as frequent exercise, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco can benefit women’s health. (Photo by Unsplash)
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4. Avoid smoking: There is a link between smoking and increased risk of cervical cancer. Tobacco contains harmful chemicals that can damage cervical cells and increase the chance of HPV infection. Quitting smoking has many other health benefits besides reducing the risk of cervical cancer. (Photo by Shutterstock)
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Published on Feb 04, 2024 07:00 am IST
5. Practice safe sex: To reduce the risk of HPV transmission, safe sexual practices should be adopted such as condoms. Limit your number of sexual partners as this increases your risk of HPV exposure. For even greater protection, HPV vaccination should be discussed with your doctor. Coordinated efforts are needed to reduce the burden of cervical cancer on Indian women as it is a disease that can be prevented if detected early. To eliminate cervical cancer as a serious threat to public health, we must all support vaccination, regular screening, health education, and improved access to health care. A key component of realizing this objective will be to provide women with the knowledge and resources needed to take preventive action. (file photo)
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