Back to Site

  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Cancer Care Treatment
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Blog 2022

All About Cervical Cancer

Jan 19th, 2022

Posts Tagged ‘ Cancer Care Treatment ’

All About Cervical Cancer

Wednesday, January 19th, 2022

India is responsible for roughly one-third of all cervical cancer fatalities worldwide, with 122,844 cases diagnosed each year. According to the Globocan 2020 report, cervical cancer affects 18.3 percent of Indian women. Due to lack of awareness, hesitancy, or restricted access to medical services, only a small percentage of women in India are screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers once diagnosed, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. The month of January is observed as “Cervical Cancer Awareness Month,” with the goal of raising awareness about cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer happens when cells change in women’s cervix, which connects the uterus and vagina. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause behind cervical cancer. There are around 100 different forms of HPV, with about 14 of them being high-risk cancer-causing strains. Most HPV infections in women clear without any intervention within 2 years. The high-risk strains of the virus can survive in the body for up to two years, integrating with cells and progressing to cervical cancer. Early detection requires regular screening.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

A person may have no symptoms at all in the early stages of cervical cancer. This makes regular pap smear tests even more essential. A pap smear test is a preventive measure and it not only helps identify the disease, but also reveals any cell alterations that may signify the onset of cancer so that treatment can begin sooner. Here are some of the most common signs of cervical cancer:

  • Pelvic pain.
  • Bleeding between periods.
  • Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
  • Bleeding in post-menopausal women.
  • Vaginal discharge with a strong odour.
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse.

These symptoms may also happen due to other underlying health conditions. Consult a gynaecologist for further investigation and care.

Risk factors for Cervical Cancer

Here are some risk factors that increase your risk of getting cervical cancer:

  • Multiple sexual partners.
  • Early sexual activity.
  • Use of contraceptive pills.
  • Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • A weakened immune system. 
  • Smoking.

How can you Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Based on your age, overall health, and personal risk for cervical cancer, you can take some precautionary measures to reduce your risk of getting cervical cancer. Work with you gynaecologist to know more about these preventive measures:

  • Be regular with pap smear tests
    A Pap test is your first line of defence against cervical cancer. During a pelvic exam, your gynaecologist will take a sample of your cervical cells to look for ones that could become cancer.
  • Get an HPV vaccine
    Vaccines can help protect children and young adults against certain HPV infections.
  • Practicing safe sex
    Limiting sexual partners, using condoms and abstaining from sex at early ages helps limit your risk of cervical cancer.
  • Not smoking
    Quit smoking to reduce your risk of cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer: Myths and Facts

There’s a lot of misinformation about cervical cancer, let us clear the most common myths and facts about this condition:

Myth: If you have HPV, you will surely develop cervical cancer.
Fact: There are over 100 different strains of HPV, some of which are associated with a higher risk of cervical cancer than others. HPV-16 or HPV-18 are responsible for over 70% of HPV-related cervical cancers. However, most genital HPV infections, do not result in cancer.

Myth: Cervical cancer only occurs in less developed countries.
Fact: Cervical cancer affects people in all countries worldwide. However, due to lack of regular screenings and early care, it is more common in less developed countries.

Myth: I’ve received the HPV vaccine, so I don’t need Pap tests.
Fact: Regular Pap tests are still necessary for everyone who have had the HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against some types of HPV, but not all of them, making regular screenings essential.

Myth: Pap smear screening checks for all gynaecologic cancers.
Fact: That is not true. The test does not screen for other gynaecologic cancers such as ovarian cancer and fallopian cancer, it tests only for cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Our Centre for Cancer offers comprehensive cancer care for the prevention, screening and early detection of cervical cancer. The team of highly trained oncologists and onco-surgeons offer specialized cervical cancer care and are supported with advanced technology. Our team of doctors provide compassionate care and multi-modal treatment options for cervical cancer that include medical therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, etc. Please find below our website details for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer/gynecologicaloncology.html

Cervical Cancer Awareness

Tuesday, January 19th, 2021

Cervical cancer is a major cause of suffering and premature death among women in developing countries. China and India account for 35% of the global cervical cancer burden with India contributing to 97,000 cases and 60,000 deaths in 2018. Cervical cancer is a highly preventable disease if diagnosed earlier at a long pre-malignant phase through regular screening. Unfortunately in India, there is a lack of awareness about the screening and the disease itself.

What is Cervical Cancer?
This is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The normal cells of the cervix first gradually develop abnormal changes that are called pre-cancerous. The goal of cervical cancer screening is to find pre-cancer or cancer early when it is more treatable and curable. Regular screening can prevent cervical cancers and save lives. The main types of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer cases.  

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms. At advanced stages the below symptoms can be seen:

  • Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause
  • Watery, bloody vaginal discharge
  • Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Risk factors of Cervical Cancer

The risk factors for cervical cancer include:

  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Early sexual activity
  • Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • A weakened immune system
  • Smoking

Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that’s almost totally preventable. The preventive screenings for cervical cancer include the HPV vaccine and the Pap smear test. Pre-cancerous changes can be detected by the pap smear test and treated to prevent cancer from developing. The HPV vaccine is taken at an early age and helps prevent HPV infection. Here are a few tips to reduce your risk of cervical cancer:

  • Take the HPV vaccine
  • Be regular with your pap smear tests
  • Practice safe sex
  • Quit smoking

Know about the Pap smear test
This test is a screening procedure often used to test for cervical cancer in women. It helps reveal changes in the cervical cells that may turn into cancer later. Regular screening after crossing 21 years of age helps to find the growth of cancerous cells in the cervix at an early stage. Cervical cancer detected early can be cured with appropriate treatments.

Know about the HPV vaccine
Most cervical cancers spread through sexual contact and are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if given before a girl or woman is exposed to the virus. It is highly recommended for young girls.

Cervical Cancer care at KDAH
The team of specialists at our Centre for Cancer provides high-quality, evidence-based comprehensive and personalised care for cervical cancer. They offer all aspects of cancer care from prevention, screening and early detection, advanced imaging (including PET CT) to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy all under one roof. We understand that each woman with Gynaecological Cancer has unique medical and emotional needs. Our highly qualified oncologists provide precise stepwise, goal directed treatment, and are supported by cutting edge technology. Please find below the link for our website:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer/gynecologicaloncology.html

Lung Cancer Awareness

Thursday, November 26th, 2020

Lung cancer is the result of damage to normal cells in the lung. The body programs cells to die at a certain stage in their life cycle to avoid overgrowth. Cancer overrides this instruction, causing cells to grow and multiply when they should not. In lung cancer, this pattern of cell overgrowth occurs in the lungs, which are vital organs for breathing and gas exchange. While anyone can develop lung cancer, cigarette smoking, and exposure to pollution highly increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

Around 50 % of  Indians being diagnosed with lung cancer are non-smokers. Air pollution both outdoor and indoor – that includes coal and biomass burning is linked to rising lung cancer cases among non-smokers in India. Lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, and unavailability of specialist care is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in India. Most lung cancer cases in India are detected at advanced stages where chances of survival are grim.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer symptoms may take years to develop, and often there are no symptoms at all until the later stages of the disease. The early symptoms of lung cancer are often mistaken and ignored. These include:

  • Coughing — A persistent cough that lasts more than two weeks, or coughing up blood
  • Chest infection — Infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia
  • Trouble breathing — Shortness of breath or wheezing
  • Chest discomfort — Chest pain or sudden and severe discomfort
  • Loss of appetite — Many illnesses, including cancer, cause changes in appetite
  • Weight loss — If you are losing weight for no known reason, inform your doctor
  • Fatigue — Excessive tiredness or weakness is a common sign of cancer

Late signs and symptoms of lung cancer:

  • Neck and facial swelling
  • Aching bones or joints
  • Headaches and dizziness
  • Lumps in the neck
  • Pain and swelling around the chest

If you have any of the above symptoms or if you are at high risk for developing lung cancer, consult a cancer specialist. Early diagnosis of lung cancer can be lifesaving and offers best chances of survival.

Risk factors of Lung Cancer
Research has found several risk factors that may increase your chances of getting lung cancer. These include:

  • Smoking – Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals out of which at least 70 are known to cause cancer. People who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer. Second-hand smoke is equally harmful and may also lead to lung cancer.
  • Chemical exposure – Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from rocks and dirt and can get trapped in houses and buildings. It cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled however it is may cause lung cancer.
  • Other Substances – Certain occupational exposure to chemicals like asbestos, arsenic, some forms of silica and chromium may harm your lungs and increase the risk of getting lung cancer.
  • Family history – Your risk of lung cancer may be higher if your parents, brothers or sisters, or children have had lung cancer.

Tips for healthy lungs

Here are a few health tips to follow to keep your lungs healthy and strong:

  • Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
  • Have a healthy diet that is high in fibre and includes at least five portions of fruits and vegetables, and has plenty of whole grains.
  • Exercise regularly and practice breathing techniques to strengthen your lungs.
  • Follow health and safety guidelines in your workplace and avoid carcinogens.
  • Laugh often as it helps replenish the lungs.

Lung Cancer care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Are you showing any symptoms of lung cancer? Meet our highly trained and experienced oncologists for an expert opinion and world-class treatment. Our Centre for Cancer is equipped with high-end technologies that provide excellent outcomes. 50 per cent of surgeries for lung cancer at Kokilaben Hospital are done using Video Assisted Thorocoscopic Surgery (VATS). This is a keyhole surgery that reduces postoperative pain, avoids scars, reduces hospital stay, and helps in fast recovery.

Our Lung cancer experts use state-of-the-art technology such as:

  • Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for lung resection aiding early recovery
  • Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for early cancer
  • Lung Sparing surgery (including Sleeve Lobectomy)
  • Mediastonscopy for staging
  • Endobronchial Ultrasonography (EBUS)
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

If you or a loved one need help for diagnosis, or treatment of lung cancer, consult specialist at our Centre for Cancer. Please find below the link for our website:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer/lungcancer.html