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Vaccination: A Key Weapon In The Fight Against Cervical Cancer

By PharmEasy App +2 more

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 6,04,000 new cases and 3,42,000 deaths in 2020. About 90% of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countriesWorld Health Organisation. Fortunately, we do have measures like vaccines and early diagnosis of precancerous lesions available to prevent Cervical Cancers.  What is Cervical Cancer?Cervical cancer is cancer that affects the cervix in women. The cervix is the narrow, lower end of the uterus. The cervix connects the vagina to the upper part of the uterus. The womb or the uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. These are the body parts that suffer the most because of Cervical cancer symptoms.  The CauseThe human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main root of causing this cancer in women. HPV is a common virus that is transferred from one person to another during sexual intercourse. According to medical studies, at least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but among them, only a few women will get cervical cancer.All sexually active women are at risk of suffering from it. It usually occurs most often in women over the age of 30.   In addition to having HPV, these factors can also contribute to cervical cancer in women:
  • Smoking
  • Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years)
  • Having given birth to three or more children
  • Being HIV positive– Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer than women without HIV.
The SymptomsSymptoms of cervical cancer don’t usually become apparent unless it has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms might also be confused as indications of other problems like yeast infection or a urinary tract infection.Here is the list of Cervical cancer symptoms:
  • Abnormal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex, after a pelvic exam or after menopause and between menstrual periods.
  • Persistent lower back, leg or pelvic pain.
  • Painful urination
  • Discharge that’s unusual in amount, colour, consistency or smell.
  • Urinating frequently
  • Unexplained weakness
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Swelling of one or both legs.
Measures for prevention of Cervical Cancer-
  1. HPV Vaccine- Talk to your doctor about HPV vaccination. WHO recommends vaccination for girls aged 9-14 years, i.e. before a girl becomes sexually active, to prevent HPV infections. A female can receive HPV vaccination even at a later age. 
  2. Screening- HPV infections are very common in sexually active females. It takes around 15-20 years for a chronic HPV infection to develop into cancer in an otherwise healthy female. Screening for HPV is a very easy process that one can follow to rule out any risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. It can be done by PAP smear test or by other tests for HPV infection.
Screening is recommended from 30 years of age, irrespective of the vaccination status of the female.
  1. Diagnosis- Diagnostic tests can help identify a precancerous lesion or cancer at an early stage. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment increase the chances of a cure.
The first one is through a Pap test (or Pap smear), which looks for precancerous cell changes on the cervix that can be treated. The Pap test can find cervical cancer early, which is when the treatment is most effective. The Pap test is recommended for women who have sexual intercourse and are aged between 30 -65 years old.The HPV test looks for HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer and precancerous cell changes.Biopsy and other imaging tests like PET scan or MRI may be advised if deemed necessary by a doctor.As with all diseases, prevention is better than cure. But not all cancers are preventable, Share this information with more people to spread awareness about preventing cervical cancers. In a nutshell, some ways to avoid cervical cancer are to get the HPV vaccine, have protected sex, get regular PAP tests and quit smoking.Also Read: Does Urinating After Sexual Intercourse Prevent Pregnancy: Dispelling Sexual Health Myths Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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