Early Detection And Vaccination Can Combat Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer is the most frequent gynaecological cancer in women, that can be easily avoided, and needs early screening to detect cancer at an initial stage. 
• According to the World Health Organization, approximately 45,000 women in India died from cervical cancer in 2019.
• To combat this occurrence, oncologists advise the need to raise awareness about the importance of routine screening through Pap smears, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) testing, and HPV vaccination. 
• HPV vaccination lowers the chances of developing cervical cancer.
• "Cervical cancer prevalence factors can be poor hygiene, a lack of awareness, insufficient screening, early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, etc.," says Dr. Meghal Sanghvi, consultant in surgical oncology.
• Due to lower-immunity diseases like HIV/AIDS, people who have undergone a transplant are at high risk of getting cervical cancer.
• Dr. Rana Choudhary, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Apollo Spectra, says, "The most common cause of getting HPV infection is by the sexual route, and women's immune systems stop HPV strains from naturally removing themselves from the body."
• Cervical cancer specialists say routine testing that can detect abnormal cells is an essential lifesaver. With these efforts, 93% of cervical cancer cases can be reduced with timely diagnosis.
• Some common signs of cervical cancer include bleeding between periods, post-coital bleeding, postmenopausal haemorrhage, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
• A PAP smear test every three years is recommended and two dosages of HPV vaccination between the ages of nine and fourteen to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Source- ET Healthworld