What Is Cervical Cancer That Claims Lives In Women?

In her Budget address, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned cervical cancer and stressed the vaccination program. A day after this, the reports of popular model actress Poonam Pandey passing away with the same condition went viral. This news not only shocked the people but also made everyone talk about Cancer and the impact the condition carries.

As per an estimation, every year around 80,000 people develop cervical cancer in our country. While 35,000 breathe their last. Despite this, only one percent of women undergo tests to detect the condition which is shocking. Many say that the lack of awareness of the condition even though we can fight with vaccines is the main reason for the rise in cases.

What is cervical cancer? How is it caused? What are its symptoms? How can it be cured? What measures the governments are taking to fight it? These are the questions many have as far as cancer is concerned. cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is a normal virus that is transmitted through sexual interaction. Once the virus enters the body it takes around 15-20 years to develop as a cancer. If the immunity is low in the infected people, then the cancer cells will develop in just five to ten years.

Sexual interaction with too many people, too much intake of contraceptive pills, and not having personal hygiene can also lead to the condition. If we look at the question of how to detect the condition and what are its symptoms, there will be heavy bleeding during periods in people with cervical cancer. Pain in the pelvis, constant stomach bloating, frequent need to urinate, and problems during urination are the symptoms.

People with the condition will face pain and a burning sensation in vagina during the intercourse. If they indulge in sex after Menopause, they face bleeding. A white discharge will happen with a smell. Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and blood loss conditions are faced. MNJ Cancer, which is a famous state-run Cancer hospital in Hyderabad city sees 300-400 tests daily and two or three cervical cancer cases are being detected. An estimation says that every year in Telugu states over 25,000 cervical cancer cases are detected. Out of all the cases reported, cervical cancer accounts for 13 percent.

If we talk about the breast and cervical cancer cases that trouble the women most, in the urban areas breast cancer cases are reported more while cervical cases are reported more in the villages. There is a chance of detecting the cases with the Pap smear test.

With these tests, we can detect the cases early. Doctors say that whenever they find any painless bumps in the body they should meet the doctors without any delay. They say that a healthy lifestyle is required besides regular exercise. Vaccines are given to prevent the virus in girls between 9-26 years. There is a chance of treating it in the pre-cancer stage. Women between 29-45 should undergo tests for every two to three years and the 50-60 age group should undergo tests once every five years. Serum Institute brought a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer which costs R 2,000 per dose. Other vaccines are also available. As the government mentioned reducing the vaccine costs, it is said that in the coming days, a vaccine dose might cost Rs 250-300.