Cervical Cancer Prevention
Cervical Cancer AwarenessWhat and Why Every Woman
Needs to Know
Do you know that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide which is almost 100% preventable with vaccination.
“Cervical cancer affects millions of women globally, yet it is one of
the most preventable forms of cancer. This blog will help you in understanding
causes of this cancer, identifying symptoms and taking proactive steps to
protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Definition of Cervical Cancer and its causative agent.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cells lining
the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb).
Causative
agent: Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Different types of cancers caused by HPV are as below:
Ø Cervical cancer in women
Ø Oropharyngeal cancer (Back of the throat ), including the base of the tongue and tonsils, in both men and women
Ø Increased risk of breast cancer
Ø
Almost
all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with certain high-risk
types of HPV, a common sexually transmitted virus
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
The following are the symptoms of cervical cancer that usually
presented, however not all the symptoms need to be presented during cervical
cancer diagnosis or physical investigation
- Menorrhagia (menstrual bleeding that is thicker and lasts longer
than usual)
- Unknown cause of recurrent pelvic and/or back discomfort
- Blood splotches or mild bleeding between or after periods
- Postcoital bleeding (bleeding following sexual activity)
- Bleeding during douching (spray or shower with water)
- Dyspareunia (pain during a sexual encounter)
- Bleeding during a pelvic examination
- Bleeding during menopause
- High vaginal discharge
Most probable causes of cervical cancer:
- Persistent HPV Infection (Main Cause)
- Genetic Factors and Family History
- Early sexual activity
- Smoking
- Weakened immune system
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Lack of regular cervical screenings
Cervical cancer burden data of INDIA of 2022.
|
The disease burden in India as per data can be summarized as Data depicted in the adjoining figure is an alarming
state |
|
In 2024, death rate due to cervical cancer has
increased to 79906.
Most of this death could have been prevented if girls and ladies would
have been vaccinated on time.
Cervical cancer burden data worldwide:
Globally, an estimated 662,044 cases and 348,709 deaths from cervical
cancer occurred in 2022, corresponding to the fourth cause of cancer morbidity
and mortality in women worldwide.
Cervical cancer remains a common cause of cancer death in many
countries, especially in transitioning countries. Unless scaling-up preventive
interventions, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer
screening, as well as systematic cooperation within government, civil
societies, and private enterprises, the global burden of cervical cancer would
be expected to increase in the future.
Survival ratio after detection of cervical cancer:
The
overall 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is around 67%, with higher survival rates observed in early stages
and lower rates in advanced stages.
- Early Stage:
When diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is
91%.
- Regional Spread:
When cervical cancer spreads to nearby tissues, organs, or regional
lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 60%.
- Stage IV:
The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate for Stage IV disease is only 18.9%.
- Overall:
The 5-year relative survival rate for all people with
cervical cancer is 67%.
Prevention from Cervical Cancer:
Vaccination is
effective to prevent almost 100% of cervical cancer In girls and women.
Primary action is HPV vaccination because vaccine is needed both for
primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is now
globally accepted as a safe and effective means of primary prevention of
cervical cancer.
Early diagnosis is only tool to prevent mortalities due to cervical
cancer and its allied cancers. Follow below mentioned steps for prevention:
- Give up smoking: Quit smoking for general good health as well as to reduce the
risk of cervical cancer. Smoking can increase the risk of cervical cancer
and make it more difficult to treat.
- Switch to a healthy diet: You are what you eat. Adopting a healthy diet
can help to improve the immunity levels in the body. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the
risk of developing cervical cancer.
- Reduce obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for general good
health. Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of cervical
cancer.
- Practice good hygiene: Good hygiene can play an important role in preventing the spread
of HPV. Keeping the genital area clean can reduce the risk of developing
infections that can lead to cervical cancer.
Vaccine availability in INDIA
HPV vaccines are available in India, with quadrivalent (Gardasil) and
bivalent (Cervarix) vaccines being licensed and available. A new indigenously
produced quadrivalent vaccine (Cervavac) is also launched by Serum Institute of
India Pune.
Detailed breakdown about vaccines:
Types of HPV Vaccines Available in India:
- Quadrivalent (Gardasil): Protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and
18.
- Bivalent (Cervarix): Protects against HPV types 16 and 18.
- Indigenously Produced Quadrivalent (Cervavac): Launched in 2023, demonstrating
immunological equivalence with Gardasil.
Availability and Access:
- Currently, HPV vaccines are available under prescription by private
practitioners .
- The government is working to make the vaccine more accessible
through the National Immunization Program (NIP) .
- The Indian National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization
(NTAGI) approved Cervavac for introduction in NIP as a two-dose regimen.
Cost of single dose of vaccine:
- The cost of HPV vaccines in India varies, with each dose ranging
from approximately ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 .
- The indigenously produced Cervavac is expected to be available at
an affordable price for the NIP. Vaccination centers can be checked online
for availability in each city.
Vaccination Schedule:
·
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and
boys at age 11 or 12, and the vaccine can be given starting at age 9.
·
For young people who weren’t vaccinated within the age
recommendations, HPV vaccination is recommended up to age 26.
·
Some adults between the ages of 27 and 45 who are not already
vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after talking with their doctor
about their risk of new HPV infections.
·
The HPV vaccine is given as a series of two or three doses,
depending on age. CDC recommends that children who start the vaccine series
before age 15 receive two doses.
·
For people who receive the first dose on or after their 15th
birthday, and for people with certain immunocompromising conditions, CDC
recommends getting three doses.
- The vaccines do not protect against the strain the patient is
already infected with, so the ideal time to vaccinate is before the onset
of sexual activity .
Details of HPV Vaccine
Major global and Indian medical bodies recommend HPV
vaccination for girls aged 9+
Ø
Indian
Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
Ø
Federation
of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI)
Ø
World
Health Organization (WHO)
Ø
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Ø
American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
VACCINE SAFETY (Gardasil 9) :
- Gardasil 9 (human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine,
recombinant; 9vHPV) was approved by FDA for use in 2014.
- The safety of Gardasil 9 was studied in clinical trials with more
than 15,000 participants before it was licensed and continues to be
monitored.
- Gardasil 9 protects against 9 types of cancer-causing HPV types 6,
11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
For HPV vaccine to be most effective, the series
should begin prior to exposure to HPV.
Vaccine safety can be checked via link given below:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/hpv.html
Key facts of 2022 by World Health Organization (WHO)
- Cervical
cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660
000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022.
- The
highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and
middle-income countries. This reflects major inequities driven by lack of
access to national HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment
services and social and economic determinants.
- Cervical
cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus
(HPV). Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop
cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
- Prophylactic
vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions
are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very
cost-effective.
- Countries
around the world are working to accelerate the elimination of cervical
cancer in the coming decades, with an agreed set of three targets to be
met by 2030.
MESSAGE FOR PARENTS/ GIRLS /WOMEN
Consider Vaccination as a:
a)
Birthday
Gift to yourself / your child
b)
Imagine
the cost of testing and detection after getting issue which can be CERVICAL
CANCER. The minimum cost for one time testing and detection is Rs. 20000 / per
person in India (Approx cost) and treatment costs approx. 10 – 15 lacs with
very less percentage of survival.
c)
You
can achieve the sky if you are protected. You can invest your energy in some
productive work.
NOTE: If anybody need details about this cancer and
its prevention, they can visit:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention
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