CERVIX CANCER ---PRESENT SCENRIO DR Nitin Khunteta

There has been tremendous change in the demographic profile of India over time, as both vital rates-birth and death rates-have gradually declined. The life expectancy at birth has increased to 65 years. Noncommunicable diseases like cancer have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the midst of already existing communicable diseases. According to National Cancer Registry Program of India, cancers of the uterine cervix and of the breast are the leading malignancies seen in Indian women. In view of the well-defined natural history and long detectable preclinical phase, the cancer of uterine cervix gets priority in terms of control program through mass screening. An important reason for higher cervical cancer incidence in our country is lack of effective screening programs aimed at detecting precancerous conditions before they progress to invasive cancer.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women. According to WHO estimates, every year 132,082 women are diagnosed with cancer and 74,118 women die from this disease. Currently there are about 365.71 million aged over 15 years and each one of them is at the risk of developing this cancer. Globally it affects 500,000 women and a fifth of them reside in India. Statistics indicate Cervical Cancer kills eight women every waking hour in India.
Worldwide, it was the second-most common cancer after breast cancer.
"It is the commonest cancer in India and all sexually active women are at a risk of contracting this disease. But it's mostly seen in woman aged between 50 to 55 years. If detected at a pre-cancerous stage, this cancer is 100 per cent curable." says Dr Nitin Khunteta, a consultant in Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Jaipur.
Main cause
HPV (Human papillomavirus infection) is the virus for this cancer. It is a sexually transmitted virus . Most people never even know they have HPV, or that they are passing it to their partner.

Risk factors:
Having sex at an early age , Having many sexual partners , Having many pregnancies , Using birth control pills for 5 or more years
Consuming any form of tobacco .

Symptoms
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, post-menstrual bleeding and discharge from the vagina .

Prevention Strategies--
1-Cervical cancer vaccine: Is the first vaccine ever designed to prevent cancer. It is recommended to girls aged 11 to 12 years as it allows a girl's immune system to be activated before she's likely to encounter HPV.
2-Delay sex
3-Limit number of sexual partners and to avoid having sex with someone who has had many other sexual partners.
4-Use condoms: Condoms when used correctly can lower the HPV infection rate by about 70%. They can't protect one completely because they don't cover every possible HPV-infected area of the body, such as the skin of the genital or the anal area.

Important Tests
Pap test: Cells are collected from the surface of the cervix and checked on a slide.
HPV test: Doctors take DNA cells by swabbing the cervix. "The HPV test is ideal for the detection of cervical cancer. It is slightly more accurate than the Pap test.
Colposcopy test: It enlarges the image of the cervix and the cells can be then seen clearly. This test is available at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Jaipur.

Treatment
The three main treatments available today are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Seeing the present scenario we all need to be aware about this disease, which is preventable to a large extent, can be cured if diagnosed in early stage.