Vaccination and early screening vital to curb cervical cancer deaths: Experts

Vaccination screening and early treatment are crucial to fight cervical cancer which is causing the death of a woman every eight minutes in India said health experts on FridayJanuary is observed globally as Cervical Cancer awareness monthCervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus HPV The virus infects the cervix which is the mouth of the uterus While HPV infection does not mean cancer it requires testing or screening to see if it has caused changes in the cervixldquoCervical cancer and breast cancer are the most common cancers affecting women In India one woman dies every eight minutes due to cervical cancer This shows how big the burden is In many foreign countries these deaths are much lower because cervical cancer is completely preventable If screening is done on time or vaccination is given at the right age it is almost 100 per cent preventablerdquo Dr Sujata Pathak Scientist Preventive Oncology IRCH AIIMS Delhi told IANSldquoCervical cancer prevention is one of the most successful examples of cancer control in modern medicine The disease is primarily caused by persistent infection with highrisk HPV making it largely preventable through a combination of vaccination screening and early treatmentrdquo added Dr Rahul D Modi a gynaecologic oncologist at a Delhibased hospitalThe experts noted that due to a lack of awareness the burden of the disease is very high in IndiaPathak shared that the HPV vaccine has been available since 2006 but awareness has been very low Recently awareness has increased because the WHO has declared cervical cancer a major public health problemldquoHPV vaccination recommended for adolescents before the onset of sexual activity can prevent the majority of cervical cancer cases by protecting against the most oncogenic HPV types When implemented widely vaccination programmes significantly reduce HPV infections precancerous lesions and future cancer incidencerdquo Modi told IANSThe HPV vaccine is very safe and welltested Minor side effects like pain at the injection site redness or mild fever for a day may occur similar to other vaccines There are no serious side effects she addedGirls aged 9 to 14 years should take the vaccine They require two doses Above this age three doses are required According to the WHO even one dose can protect for up to 20 yearsBeyond vaccination maintaining good menstrual hygiene and overall immunity is also importantIn about 90 per cent of cases HPV infection clears on its own within two yearsScreening plays an equally critical role Tests such as pap smears and HPV DNA testing help detect precancerous changes in the cervix long before they progress to invasive cancer AIIMS Delhi has also launched a monthlong free screening for cervical cancerldquoCancer usually takes 1520 years to develop which gives us enough time for screening and interventionrdquo Pathak said adding that screening at the right time helps detect changes before cancer develops AIIMS Delhi has also launched a monthlong free screening for cervical cancerSymptoms appear late but once they appear the cancer is often already advancedLate symptoms may include postmenopausal bleeding bleeding between periods excessive white discharge abdominal pain or lower back pain These symptoms do not always mean cancer but should never be ignored Pathak saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever