What is Cervical Cancer?

What is Cervical Cancer? 

Cancer of the cervix (mouth of the uterus) is the second most commonly occurring cancer in women after breast cancer and usually affects women in their late 30s and those over 40 years of age.  

 
Unfortunately, a quarter of all cervical cancer cases in the world occur in Indian women. India also accounts for 1/4^th of all cervical cancer deaths in the world. 
 
Here are some of the common symptoms of this deadly disease: 

• Unusual vaginal discharge specially if it’s foul smelling 
• Vaginal bleeding after having sex 
• Unusual vaginal bleeding in between periods or heavy bleeding during periods
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause 

In India discussing menstrual or period problems is considered a taboo due to which many women neglect their symptoms for a long time, resulting in high mortality rates. It is imperative for women to report these symptoms to their gynaecologists as early as possible. If detected early, the cancer is easily treatable as compared to detection at an advanced stage.   

Is Cervical Cancer treatable?  

Cervical cancer is caused by HPV (Human papilloma virus), which is a sexually transmitted infection. In most women, this infection clears on its own in some women this infection can persist and can lead to pre-invasive lesions or cancer of the cervix. 

Preventive measures include: 

1. HPV Vaccination for young girls between 11 to 12 years of age  
2. HPV screening for sexually active women 
3. Regular PAP smear tests starting for women over 30 years of age