Cervical cancer is the cancer of the mouth of uterus, i.e., cervix. It is the second most common cancer amongst women and accounts for the highest number of cervical cancer cases in Asia. More than half of the total worldwide deaths due to cervical cancer occur in India. The incidence of cervical cancer cases is approximately 18 per 1,00,000 women with deaths in approximately 11 per 1,00,000 women. It is a silent killer as it presents with non-specific complaints and usually presents in the advanced stage.
The causative agent for cervical cancer is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is sexually transmitted. Not all strains of HPV causes cancer. Moreover, it is the most common viral infection of the genital tract. However, our body is able to fight the infection and clear out the virus. However, in a small percentage it can over 15-20 years, become a part of the cells in the cervix and bring about the cancerous changes.
Awareness about the signs and symptoms of the disease is also important. Getting regular pap smear after the age of 21 or after sexually active helps in detecting the disease early. However, in absence of any regular gynae examination, cases of cervical cancer present with irregular bleeding, specially after intercourse, backache, and foul smelling discharge.
There are some lifestyle choices that affect your chances of cervical cancer. Obesity, early age of sexual activity, smoking, and long term use of oral contraceptive pills increase your chances of cervical cancer. Using barrier contraception, i.e., condoms gives protection from HPV infection and therefore from cervical cancer.
Interestingly it is preventable to a large extent. Cervical cancer awareness has a big role to play in its prevention. Women need to be made familiar with good lifestyle choices that will reduce the chances of having cervical cancer. This needs to be combined with vaccination against HPV especially in the age group of 9-13 years. The above measures will reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer. Regular pap smears from the age of 21 ensures early detection of cases and precancerous lesions that can be treated completely and more conservatively.