Understanding Cervical Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide

Cervical cancer is an important concern for women worldwide. It is the fourth most common cancer globally and second in India. The first step to tackle this cancer is to be fully aware of it. This means knowing 

● What is it?

● What causes it?

● How can you prevent it?

For this reason, today we'll explore cervical cancer, its prevention, diagnosis, and visible signs. Let’s start! 

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cervix. It is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. 

While cervical cancers originate from cells with abnormal changes, it's important to note that only a fraction of women with these cervical abnormalities will actually develop cancer. For the majority of women, these abnormal cells will naturally disappear without requiring treatment. However, in certain cases, these abnormal cells can progress into invasive cancers.

Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 

Cervical cancer diagnosis involves a series of medical tests and examinations conducted by healthcare professionals to assess any abnormalities or signs of cancer in the cervix. These diagnostic procedures may include the following:

● Pelvic examinations

● Pap smear tests

● HPV tests

● Colposcopy

● Biopsy

Visible Signs of Cervical Cancer

Early-stage cervical cancer may not always cause noticeable symptoms. Regular cervical cancer screenings, including Pap smear tests and HPV tests, are essential for early detection and prevention. Regardless, here are some symptoms you should look out for —

● Bleeding between periods 

● Unusually heavy or longer periods

● Bleeding after intercourse or menopause

● Constant pelvic pain

● Pain during sexual intercourse

● Watery, bloody, or foul-smelling discharge between periods or after menopause

Prevention By Screening

Cervical cancer screening aims to find abnormal cells or cancer early when it's easier to treat. The tests used are the HPV test and the Pap test. The Pap test detects pre-cancerous changes that can be treated to stop cancer. The HPV test looks for high-risk HPV infection, which can lead to pre-cancers and cancer. While there's no treatment for HPV, getting vaccinated can prevent it.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine in India

There are three cervical cancer vaccines available in India. They are –

● CERVAVAC

● Cervarix

● Gardasil 4

CERVAVAC 

It is India’s first self-developed vaccine to safeguard against cervical cancer, jointly developed by:

● Serum Institute of India (SII)

● Union government’s department of biotechnology

This vaccine has been available in India since last year, providing protection against four HPV types — 6, 11, 16, & 18. Cervavac is recommended for women aged 9 to 26. It's administered in two doses for girls aged 9 to 14 (at 0 and 6 months) and three doses for those aged 15 to 26 (at 0, 2, and 6 months).

Price: Rs 2,000 per shot. 

Cervarix

Cervarix has been accessible in India since 2008. It's recommended for females aged 10 to 45, with two doses given 6-12 months apart. 

Price: Rs 2,200-2,600 per shot.

Gardasil 4

Introduced in India in 2009 by MSD, this vaccine targets HPV types 6, 16, 11, and 18. Women aged 9-45 should get either 2 or 3 doses of the vaccine, with each dose given either every 0-6 months or at 0, 2, and 6 months. 

Price: Rs 3,500-4,000 per shot.

Gardasil 9, also known as Gardasil Nano, protects against nine HPV strains. Notably, it's the first gender-neutral HPV vaccine. It is also the most expensive vaccine. 

Price: Rs Rs 9,000-1000 per shot.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease. In India, where cervical cancer remains a significant health issue, raising awareness and promoting preventive measures are important to reduce its burden on society. And that will only happen via knowledge