Cervical cancer is becoming one of the most common problems among women in India after breast cancer, but there is a way to significantly reduce the risk of this disease.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Dr. Nilanchali Singh, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at AIIMS in New Delhi, notes that with timely vaccination, the risk of developing cervical cancer can be reduced by up to 95%. She emphasizes that in addition to vaccination, regular screening is crucial after reaching the age of 30.
Cervical cancer is a disease specific to women that develops in the lower part of the uterus, in the area of the cervix. Most cases are caused by a persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is transmitted from men to women through sexual contact. Usually, a woman's immune system eliminates this infection within a few months or years, but in some women, the infection persists for a long time and can gradually lead to cancer development.
Diagnosis and Disease Progression
If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be cured, but if it progresses to an advanced stage, it can be fatal. Dr. Singh explains that the increase in cervical cancer cases is related both to improved diagnostic methods and to the increased frequency of HPV infection among women. Nevertheless, not every woman infected with HPV develops cancer; most cases are managed by the body's immune system. However, the risk increases in women with weakened immune systems or those who have been exposed to high-oncogenic HPV for a long time.
Age and Vaccine Types
Since cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, vaccination against it helps reduce the threat of cancer. Although the vaccine is recommended for all women under 45, the optimal age for vaccination is considered to be between 9 and 14 years old. The vaccine can also be administered between the ages of 16 and 26, providing good protective effect. Women aged 26 to 45 can receive the vaccine upon a doctor's recommendation; although the level of protection at this age may be lower, this does not mean that the vaccination is useless.
Dr. Singh asserts that cervical cancer is one of the diseases that is largely preventable. If women get vaccinated and undergo regular tests after the age of 30, most cases can be stopped before they turn into cancer. In many countries, the introduction of the HPV vaccine has already led to a significant reduction in morbidity.
Importance of Screening and Symptoms
Regular diagnosis is equally important. Dr. Singh advises all women over 30 to undergo regular cervical cancer screening. Two types of tests are used for this: the Pap Smear Test and the HPV Test. Early detection allows for the treatment of cancer at an initial stage. It is also necessary to pay attention to certain signs:
- Unusual bleeding between menstrual periods
- Constant pelvic pain
- Persistent back or leg pain
- Vaginal discharge
Although these symptoms do not always indicate cancer, they are grounds for a mandatory medical examination.
