Cancer Of The Cervix And How To Prevent It
Aug 19, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Cervical Cancer, caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), is the most commonly seen cancer in Indian women. This virus, which spreads through skin to skin contact , mostly during sexual activity . There are over 100 different types of HPV that have been identified.Apart from cervical cancer some of them can cause genital warts,vulvar, vaginal cancer and precancerous lesions namely CIN 1,2,3.It is estimated that majority of women get infected with HPV at some point in their life; but the infection usually clears off on its own, without causing any health complications.
Cervical Cancer, caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), is the most commonly seen cancer in Indian women. This virus, which spreads through skin to skin contact , mostly during sexual activity . There are over 100 different types of HPV that have been identified.Apart from cervical cancer some of them can cause genital warts,vulvar, vaginal cancer and precancerous lesions namely CIN 1,2,3.It is estimated that majority of women get infected with HPV at some point in their life; but the infection usually clears off on its own, without causing any health complications.
HPV is classified as either high risk (e.g. 16,18) or low risk (e.g. 6, 11), depending on the conditions they cause. HPV infections are mostly asymptomatic and can cause a pre-cancerous condition (CIN I, CIN II, CIN III), which may, across time (almost 10 years), progress to cancer. Other risk factor of cancer cervix includes indulging in sexual intercourse at a young age, having multiple sexual partners and presence of other sexually transmitted diseases.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- Abnormal bleeding – bleeding between menstrual periods, after sex, post-menopause etc.
- Pelvic or lower belly pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Painful sex
- secondary prevention: early detection and treatment.
Prevention :
1)secondary prevention: early detection and treatment.
Cervical cancer can be diagnosed through a test called cervical cytology which is a part of pelvic examination.
There are two methods by which cervical cytology is done.
1.conventional Pap smear testing ( Sample is examined to see if abnormal cells are present)
2. Liquid based cytology ( sample is tested for presence of 13-14 high risk of HPV type)
Who should be screened?
It is highly advisable for women of all ages to get a PAP smear done to rule out chances of cervical cancer.
- Women aged 21-29 years: PAP test every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.
- Women aged 30-65 years: PAP test every 3 years or PAP smear + HPV testing (co- testing) once in five years.
When to stop screening :
- Those who have undergone a hysterectomy (removal of uterus and the cervix) for some non- cancerous condition.
- Screening can be stopped at 65 years of age, provided one has had 3 negative PAP tests in a row/ two negative co-test result in a row within the past 10 years (the most recent test performed within the past 5 years).
2) Primary prevention or prevention of the disease before its onset.
- Safe, healthy sexual relationship
- Use of condoms
- Refrain from having protected sex if infected
- Vaccination
Vaccination against cervical cancer
There are three types of vaccines for cervical cancer available now: Gardasil (2 types) & Cervarix
- Gardasil protects against HPV serotypes 16, 18, 6, 11 and is given in three doses at intervals of 0, 2 and 6 months. This vaccination protects against cervical cancer and genital warts.
- Gardasil 9 acts against 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 and is administered in 2 or 3 dose schedule.The second dose is given 6-12 months after first dose and in 3 dose schedule, 3 doses at 0, 2 and 6 months.
- Cervarix acts against HPV serotypes 16, 18 given in three doses at 0, 1, 6 months and ensures protection only from cancer of the cervix.
- Dosage is 0.5 ml intramuscularly
- Although the Recommended age group is 9-12years it can be given upto 26 years.
Cervical cancer vaccination: Important points to keep in mind
- HPV vaccines can be given along with hepatitis B, tdap vaccine.
- Side effects of this vaccine include light-headedness, headache, pain, swelling, redness and itching.
- The Vaccine should not be used if there is allergy to any component and to yeast.
- Routine screening for cervical cancer should continue even after the vaccination.
Related Articles
DO YOU HAVE A MIGRAINE HEADACHE & CAN IT CAUSE DIZZINESS:-
Jul 22, 2020, 6:41:00 AM
Lifestyle Choices : Understanding dilemmas of working women
Jun 16, 2020, 4:09:00 AM
What is limb reconstruction ?
May 25, 2020, 8:52:00 AM
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ABNORMAL FOETAL ECHO?
May 25, 2020, 8:51:00 AM
NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES
May 25, 2020, 8:47:00 AM
How to take care of your health amidst COVID 19 pandemic
May 25, 2020, 8:43:00 AM
ABDOMINOPLASTY
Oct 14, 2019, 4:08:00 AM
GYNECOMASTIA
Oct 2, 2019, 4:04:00 AM
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD): What You Should Know
Sep 27, 2019, 6:51:00 AM
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Sep 23, 2019, 5:58:00 AM
Cosmetic Surgeries After Weight loss
Sep 18, 2019, 4:10:00 AM
High Blood Pressure and Your Health
May 20, 2019, 8:30:00 AM
Glucose Meters are Your Ally
Jul 11, 2018, 6:30:00 PM
Chemical Peel: Discover Radiant, Youthful Skin
Jun 26, 2018, 6:30:00 AM
Scoliosis In Children: How Corrective Surgery Can Transform Lives
Jun 25, 2018, 6:00:00 AM
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Growing Epidemic in Kerala
Jun 12, 2018, 6:00:00 AM
NIPAH VIRUS INFECTION: BE INFORMED, BE SAFE
May 25, 2018, 6:00:00 AM
World Health Day 2018
Apr 6, 2018, 6:00:00 AM
Understanding Autism Helps Early Detection
Mar 29, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Have The Right Amount Of Carbohydrates And Fats To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Mar 20, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Cancer In The Elderly: Adopting A Holistic Approach
Mar 14, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Women And Kidney Diseases
Mar 7, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
PCOS IN ADOLESCENTS : AN ENIGMA
Feb 15, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Epilepsy: The Reality
Feb 9, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Cancer- no more a crab!
Feb 2, 2018, 5:30:00 AM
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Helping People With Lung Diseases Live An Active Life
Jan 17, 2018, 3:00:00 PM
Obesity In Indians
Nov 24, 2017, 2:00:00 PM
Diabetes- What We Should Know?
Nov 14, 2017, 2:00:00 PM
Pneumonia: What You Should Know?
Nov 11, 2017, 1:30:00 PM
9 Ways To Prevent Neck Pain
Oct 17, 2017, 12:30:00 PM
The Simple Step To Good Health
Oct 12, 2017, 12:30:00 PM
Angioplasty for Chronic Total Occlusions (CTOs)
Sep 29, 2017, 12:10:00 PM
Understanding Alzheimers disease
Sep 21, 2017, 12:00:00 AM
TAKE A MINUTE, CHANGE A LIFE – SUICIDE PREVENTION AND YOU
Sep 9, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Polycystic Ovarian Disease
Aug 30, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Key Hole Spine Surgery: Making Spine Surgery Easier
Jul 28, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Vitiligo: What You Should Know
Jun 29, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Kidney Transplantation - A Second Chance At Life
Jun 27, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Dialysis: A Life Sustaining Treatment For End Stage Kidney Failure Patients
Jun 19, 2017, 12:00:00 AM
Understanding Carotid Endarterectomy
Jun 13, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Laparoscopic Surgery: What To Expect
Jun 2, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Jun 1, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Back Pain In Children: Never Ignore The Problem
May 31, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
The Diabetic Foot: A Surgical Perspective
May 30, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Chronic Kidney Disease: The Silent Killer
Apr 20, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Laser Surgery: The Effective Way To Treat Prostate Enlargement
Apr 19, 2017, 12:00:00 PM
Male Infertility: What You Should Know
Apr 5, 2017, 11:30:00 AM
Prostate Cancer: Ten Facts You Should Know
Apr 4, 2017, 11:30:00 AM
Walking on metal knees
Feb 22, 2017, 10:30:00 AM
Are You Sleeping Well?
Feb 21, 2017, 10:00:00 AM
Complex Coronary Angioplasty
Feb 20, 2017, 10:30:00 AM
Good Mental Health: An Overview
Feb 15, 2017, 10:30:00 AM
How does ‘bad’ cholesterol affect brain function?
Sep 6, 2016, 10:30:00 AM
Some Types of Blood Pressure Medications
Sep 6, 2016, 10:00:00 AM
IBD: Do you know the signs and symptoms?
May 31, 2016, 10:00:00 AM
Colorectal Cancer: What You Should Know
May 26, 2016, 10:00:00 AM
Healthy tips for your heart’s sake
Mar 17, 2016, 10:12:00 AM
Adding years to life after a coronary artery bypass surgery
Mar 10, 2016, 10:09:00 AM
What you need to know about osteoarthritis
Mar 4, 2016, 10:00:00 AM
Tetanus : what you should know
Mar 25, 2015, 10:00:00 AM
Stomach Cancer : Be Informed
Mar 19, 2015, 10:00:00 AM
Depression : Overcome it!
Mar 17, 2015, 10:00:00 AM
Smile healthy
Mar 11, 2015, 10:00:00 AM
Chicken Pox : How to manage the infection
Mar 9, 2015, 9:30:00 AM
Gastric Ulceration - Causes, Risk Factors and Symptoms
Mar 2, 2015, 9:30:00 AM
Lung Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Feb 26, 2015, 9:30:00 PM
Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Feb 25, 2015, 9:21:00 AM
PET/CT Scan: A New World of Diagnosing and Treating Patients
Feb 23, 2015, 9:30:00 PM
All You Need To Know About Cervical Spondylosis
Feb 18, 2015, 9:30:00 PM
Why do Panic Attacks Happen?
Feb 17, 2015, 6:30:00 PM
Malnutrition : facts you should know
Feb 12, 2015, 6:30:00 PM
Advanced medical linear accelerators help fight cancer faster, smarter and with precision
Feb 4, 2015, 6:30:00 PM
February 4: World Cancer Day
Feb 3, 2015, 9:00:00 PM
Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
Feb 2, 2015, 8:51:00 AM
Bells Palsy: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
Jan 26, 2015, 6:30:00 PM
Changing The Experience Of Surgery
Jan 23, 2015, 8:34:00 AM
Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
Jan 21, 2015, 8:31:00 AM
Health Tips for Pregnant Women
Jan 16, 2015, 7:34:00 AM
Tips to tackle burns instantly and minimize scarring
Jan 12, 2015, 7:27:00 AM
Dengue : Stay Protected
Jan 7, 2015, 6:47:00 AM
Rabies: Causes, Symptoms and Protection
Jan 5, 2015, 6:46:00 AM
Dyslexia Guide for Parents and Teachers
Dec 30, 2014, 6:45:00 AM
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Signs, Triggers and Remedies
Dec 22, 2014, 6:44:00 AM
Lower back pain: Causes and Symptoms
Dec 19, 2014, 6:43:00 AM
Bronchitis: Symptoms, Causes and Precautions
Dec 16, 2014, 6:41:00 AM
How To Deal With Allergies
Dec 11, 2014, 6:40:00 AM
Does Prolonged Cold Indicate A Sinus Infection?
Dec 5, 2014, 6:30:00 AM
What to expect from a Knee Replacement Treatment?
Dec 3, 2014, 6:29:00 AM
World AIDS Day - December 1
Dec 1, 2014, 6:28:00 AM
Malaria – Symptoms, Causes and Facts
Nov 27, 2014, 6:27:00 AM
Keep your home germ-free
Nov 25, 2014, 6:26:00 AM
Tackling Dandruff
Nov 19, 2014, 6:24:00 AM
Tips to stay healthy during winters
Nov 17, 2014, 6:22:00 AM
Healthy living and Diabetes
Nov 14, 2014, 6:20:00 AM
Breast-feeding reduces the risk of diabetes in children
Nov 12, 2014, 6:19:00 AM
Schizophrenia : Symptoms, Causes and Myths
Nov 10, 2014, 6:18:00 AM
Asthma : Causes, Symptoms & Self-Help Tips
Nov 4, 2014, 6:17:00 AM
Vaccination : keep your child healthy
Oct 31, 2014, 5:58:00 AM
Take care - children tend to swallow dangerous objects!
Oct 28, 2014, 5:39:00 AM
5 signs of ear infection in children
Oct 25, 2014, 5:38:00 AM
Celebrate a healthy and safe Diwali!
Oct 22, 2014, 5:36:00 AM
October 20 : World Osteoporosis Day
Oct 20, 2014, 5:35:00 AM
How to avoid feeling sleepy in the afternoon.
Oct 17, 2014, 5:05:00 AM
A great day begins with a healthy breakfast
Oct 15, 2014, 5:04:00 AM
World Arthritis Day: Get a free check-up* at Aster Medcity
Oct 11, 2014, 6:30:00 PM
Understanding ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Oct 10, 2014, 11:11:00 AM
Protect your hair against sun damage
Oct 7, 2014, 11:03:00 AM
Migraine – Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment
Oct 1, 2014, 11:02:00 AM
Call Aster Heartline: Start caring for your heart
Sep 29, 2014, 11:01:00 AM
Only you can take care of yourself.
Sep 24, 2014, 11:00:00 AM
Are demands of modern life making women unhealthier?
Sep 22, 2014, 10:59:00 AM
kidney-stones-causes-and-remedies
Sep 19, 2014, 10:51:00 AM
Hepatitis A and B – Symptoms, Transmission and Prevention
Sep 17, 2014, 10:50:00 AM
Sweet fact: Chocolates are good for you.
Sep 15, 2014, 10:49:00 AM
Too strict on your kids? They can become obese!
Sep 10, 2014, 10:48:00 AM
Are you a diabetic? Make sure you don't fall prey to these 7 problems.
Sep 8, 2014, 6:41:00 AM
7 Fertility Myths Couples Need to Stop Believing
Sep 5, 2014, 6:40:00 AM
May your eyes live on.
Aug 27, 2014, 6:39:00 AM
10 myths on eye donation: let’s see the reality!
Aug 8, 2014, 6:38:00 AM
