On Friday, the entertainment industry mourned the loss of Poonam Pandey, a 32-year-old actress and model, who passed away after bravely battling cervical cancer. Cervical cancer stands as the second most prevalent malignancy among women in India, constituting 10% of all cases.
What is cervical cancer?
Globally, cervical cancer ranks eighth, with 661,044 new cases and 348,186 deaths reported in the previous year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Cervical cancer originates at the cervical aperture, the junction of the uterus and vagina. Before its onset, cell dysplasia occurs, where abnormal cells proliferate both inside and outside the cervix.
Symptoms
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, transmitted through sexual contact, is a precursor to cervical cancer. While the immune system may clear some infections, the risk of cervical cancer escalates with exposure to the most harmful HPV strains, HPV 16 and HPV 18, among the 200 distinct viruses in the HPV family.
What are the ways to identify cervical cancer?
Symptoms of cervical cancer, initially subtle, become apparent as the disease progresses. These include abnormal cell growth, unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain (especially during intercourse), and odorous or watery vaginal discharge.
Early detection through a pap test is crucial, capable of identifying cervical cancer and abnormal cell changes. Screening is recommended for women aged 21–29, with follow-up tests every three to five years as needed.
Can cervical cancer be avoided in any way?
Prevention and treatment options abound, with vaccination being a key strategy. Cervavac, the first HPV vaccine in India, was launched in January 2023, targeting four specific HPV infections.
To combat cervical cancer, various treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are employed. In the Budget 2024-25 speech on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced government support for vaccinating girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer.
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Methodology for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer holds the position of the second most common disease affecting women in India. A recent survey by the World Health Organization on February 1 revealed a 17.7% incidence rate of new cervical cancer cases among Indian women.