Ask any 10 women in India whether they have ever undergone cervical cancer screening and about 9 of them would have not . Despite the readily available and convenient screening modalities in the form of Pap smear test or liquid based cytology that can help prevent cervical cancer or detect it in its asymptomatic stage , most women in India do not undergo regular cervical screening . As a result , an overwhelming number are diagnosed with the disease in an advanced or invasive stage , by when it becomes difficult to treat .
While cervical cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in women worldwide , it is also one of the easiest to prevent . However , lack of awareness about the disease , its causes , preventive measures as well as the need for screening makes it the leading cause of mortality due to cancer in women across the world . According to World Health Organization , more than 270,000 deaths are attributed to cervical cancer , with 85 % occurring in developing countries like India . An estimated
132,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in India and 74,000 deaths are reported . India , therefore accounts for almost one third of the global cervical cancer deaths .
On a brighter note , most of these deaths can be prevented if cervical cancer screening becomes a norm in India , along with vaccination for sexually transmitted HPV virus that is the leading cause of cervical cancer .
An estimated
132,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in India and 74,000 deaths are reported . India , therefore accounts for almost one third of the global cervical cancer deaths
Early cervical cancer has no symptoms
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged
15-44 years , affecting the cervix- the lower part of the uterus that connects it with the vagina . Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by sexually acquired infection of some strains of the Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV ).
With the advent of an authentic , non-invasive and cost effective screening technique , the incidence of this cancer has decreased manifolds , especially in the western world where most countries have instituted large scale screening programs for this disease . However , in India thousands of women continue to die every year from cervical cancer , particularly in rural areas where it still causes greater mortality than breast cancer .
If you are experiencing any abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding , discomfort during sexual intercourse or general pelvic pain , make sure you consult your doctor immediately as these symptoms may be warning signs of cervical cancer . Other symptoms of the disease include loss of appetite , weight loss , fatigue , back pain , leg
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