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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Blog 2022

All About Cervical Cancer

Jan 19th, 2022

Posts Tagged ‘ Cervical Cancer Prevention ’

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

Cancer in India: A growing burden

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021

India has the third-highest number of cancer cases in the world and it is estimated that 14 lakh new cancer cases were detected in 2020. These alarming statistics also suggest that 1 in 10 Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 15 will die of the disease. Adequate awareness and timely intervention is the need of the hour to help prevent deaths by cancer.

The Disease ‘cancer’ is generally associated with a sense of helplessness, frustration and fear of death. One of the important reasons for this is the misconception that cancer is incurable. While this may be true for certain cancers detected in advanced stages (Stage IV), those diagnosed in early stages and a few cancers even in advanced stages have a fairly good chance of survival. The incidence of cancer is on the rise due to a combination of factors such as changing lifestyles, dietary habits, lack of physical activity and increasing life expectancy. Tobacco abuse, in any form, is the most important cause and risk factor for many cancers – but importantly for cancer of the oral cavity, voice box, lungs and food pipe. Let us work together to strive for a cancer-free world with preventive measures, regular screening, and prompt and advanced cancer treatment.

Symptoms of Cancer
An early diagnosis is as important as prevention to get the best outcomes in cancer treatment. Being aware about cancer in is key to early diagnosis. Here are some of the warning signs of cancer that need further medical attention:

  • Cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away
  • Blood in sputum, stools or urine
  • Inter menstrual and post menopausal bleeding
  • Lump in breast
  • Unusual lumps anywhere in the body that increase in size
  • Non-healing wound
  • Bleeding from gums
  • Frequent fever or infections
  • Excessive weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Intense and recurrent pain

Risk factors of Cancer
A cancer risk factor highly increases a person’s chance of getting cancer. It is important to know your risk factors and speak to your family doctor about them. General risk factors for cancer include:

  • Family history
  • Older age
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol
  • Using tobacco
  • Certain viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Exposure to radiation or chemicals

Prevention of Cancer

At least one-third of the world’s cancer cases are preventable, make the right lifestyle choices to help reduce your risk of getting cancer:

  • Avoid use of all forms of tobacco
  • Say “No” to alcohol
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
  • Protect your skin from ultraviolet rays
  • Get vaccinated against preventable infections
  • Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and whole grains
  • Get regular health checkups

Screening  of Cancer
Regular cancer screening is advocated for early diagnosis and reducing the deaths from cancer in the following circumstances:

  • Breast cancer screening with monthly breast self examination, annual physical examination by a nurse or a physician and sono mammography after age of 45 years
  • Colonoscopy in people who are at high risk of cancer of large intestine
  • Low dose CT scan for smokers
  • Serum PSA for prostate cancer after crossing 50 years, post discussion with your urologist

Cancer treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Highly trained oncologists at our Centre for Cancer help facilitate comprehensive cancer care using the most advanced technology. The team offers multidisciplinary care that includes screening, diagnosis, and treatment for cancer patients. It is our continued endeavour to ensure that each and every Indian has access to affordable and world-class cancer care.

To take the fight against cancer to the interiors of the country, Kokilaben Hospital has started Cancer care centres across Maharashtra under Reliance Hospital Cancer Care Centres and we plan to establish 18 cancer care centres across Maharashtra. The Akola, Gondia, and Solapur Reliance Cancer centres are now open and are equipped with the advanced TrueBeam® radiation therapy system.

The Centre for Cancer at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a range of treatment options that include chemotherapy, radiation oncology, surgery, precision oncology, bone marrow transplant, robotic surgery, pain and palliative care as well as rehabilitation care. The team of experts has successfully performed over 12,298 complex cancer surgeries, 642 + complex surgeries for gynaecologic cancers as well as over 2199 breast cancer surgeries in the past. We also offer precision oncology that provides customized cancer care like never before. Our Centre for Cancer is well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology that includes:

  • Day care chemo suites
  • EDGE Radiosurgery system – Asia’s first equipment which enables precise, non-invasive treatments to help patients heal faster.
  • We are the first hospital in India to have Novalis TX machine, which performs high precision surgeries to remove deep-seated tumours.
  • We have the first Trilogy (linear accelerator) in India, which is capable of performing on-board CT scan, KV and MV imaging.

February 4th is marked as World Cancer Day, let us raise the awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.  If you or a loved one are a cancer fighter, do know that you are not alone in your fight! If you have any questions or need any assistance regarding cancer do visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/landingpage/cancer-mumbai/

About the Author:
Dr. Rajesh Mistry is Director, Oncology at Kokilaben Hospital specializing in Esophageal surgery: VATS and Robotic; Pulmonary surgery (Malignant and Benign): VATS and Robotic; Cancer of Thymus and other mediastinal masses; Chest wall tumours; Gastric Cancer; Head Neck Oncology. He holds a Fellowship in esophageal surgery at Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo under mentorship of Prof. H Akiyama. Find out more by visiting: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/professionals/rajeshmistry.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