Cervical Cancer Awareness 2023 – Early Screening and HPV Vaccine
January is designated to be the cervical cancer awareness month every year and voices out the need to understand and spread awareness about the disease, prevention and its cure. The theme for this year being, “Ending cervical cancer within a few generations” will firstly require educating people about the disease and its symptoms, so they reach out for immediate care and treatment. This will save them from larger trouble.
What is Cervical Cancer?
A type of cancer that develops in females, in the cells of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Most cervical cancers are believed to be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is a sexually transmitted infection, however, most infections with HPV don’t cause any symptoms and settle rapidly. But, persistent infections are the reason for cervical cancer in women.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
There are no symptoms for early-stage cervical cancer, but mentioned below are signs that indicate more-advanced cervical cancer:
- Vaginal bleeding after an intercourse, after menopause, or between periods.
- Heavy watery, bloody vaginal discharge, sometimes with a foul odor.
- Pain during intercourse or in the pelvic area.
Prevention of Cervical Cancer
Preventing Cervical Cancer is possible and completely in your hands. Firstly, you need to be vaccinated with HPV Vaccine, advised to all adolescents as part of their routine vaccines at age 11 or 12 years, but it can also be started at the age of 9. For those who have not been vaccinated when younger, ACIP advises getting vaccinated through 26 years of age.
There are other ways to prevent cervical cancer as well, listing them below:
- By keeping away from sexual intercourse until their late teens.
- By restricting the number of sexual partners.
- By ensuring safer sex through the usage of condoms and dental dams.
- By keeping away from sexual intercourse with people with a history of many partners.
- By keeping away from sexual intercourse with people infected by genital warts or showing other symptoms.
- By saying no to smoking.
Screening Methods
Another way to prevent cancer is getting regularly screened. Various Screening methods help detect precancerous changes or early cancers before any kind of signs or symptoms of cancer develops. They have over the period led to reducing cancer deaths or eliminating cancer deaths as well as reducing the number of people that develop cancer.
Screening methods or tests to detect cervical cancer include:
- HPV Test: A test is done on a sample of cells collected from the cervix. It is tested for the presence of strains of HPV, the most common cause of cervical cancer. It may be done by itself or combined with a Pap test.
- Pap Test: One of the most common tests to detect early changes in cells leading to cervical cancer. It is also known as Pap Smear. Just like the HPV test, this too involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix.
- Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA): For places with limited medical accessories and care, a VIA screening test is recommended and highly used. It is performed by the naked eye with the help of a few tools. The process involves the application of diluted white vinegar to the cervix. The doctor then looks for any abnormalities on the cervix.
Different treatments for Cervical Cancer:
Treatment options for cervical cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Drug Therapy
- Immunotherapy
Conclusion
At Apollo Cancer Centre, a cancer hospital in ahmedabad, we advocate the need to spread awareness about cervical cancer and contribute to freeing the nation from the disease by organising camps to educate people about prevention and treatment. Let us all join hands and fight wholeheartedly to eliminate the disease from the world.