Information, vaccination, screening key to fighting cervical cancer: Doctors
The cancer of the ‘cervix’, commonly known as the ‘mouth of the uterus’, is a disease that women can fight against just by vaccinating at the right age. Yet one woman dies of cervical cancer every eight minutes in India. Worldwide too, 6 lakh women are found to have cancer of the cervix, and more than 3 lakh women die of it. As November 17 is being observed as Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PGIMER, urges everyone to be a part of WHO’s vision through vaccination and screening. Talking to Sheetal, Dr Pradip Kumar Saha, Professor, and Dr Rimpi Singla, Associate Professor from Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PGIMER, bust misconceptions as well as educate the readers on this common cancer among women.
How can one prevent oneself from this cancer?
All you need to know is that it is the most common gynaecological cancer among women. And all you need to do is ‘get informed, get vaccinated, get screened’.
What causes it and what are the early symptoms?
Cervical cancer is caused by sexually acquired infection with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). Most infections with HPV are cleared off by our natural immunity and cause no symptoms. But if this infection remains for long, it may cause cervical cancer. Women who have weak immunity, sexually transmitted infections, poor hygiene, who smoke, have low socio-economic status, are undernourished, and have multiple sexual partners are at high risk of having cervical cancer. So, a healthy balanced diet, personal hygiene, and safe sexual practices are important in preventing it.
What’s the right age to get vaccinated and advice for women who have crossed the age of getting vaccinated?
Two doses of HPV vaccine at a gap of 6-12 months are recommended for girls between 9-15 years of age. The adults in the age group of 26- 45 years can have HPV vaccine after discussing with their clinician as vaccination of people in this age range provides less benefit as compared to younger age groups. Three doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for teens and young adults who start after the age of 15.
Apart from cervical cancer, HPV is also known to cause cancer of the mouth, anus and penis, and warts. Hence, boys aged none years and above should also receive this vaccine. So, take your young children who are more than nine for an HPV shot.
There’s also an Indian vaccine available to prevent against it. Tell us about that.
Yes, we have very safe, very effective, and affordable vaccines that prevent HPV infection. Now, we have our own Indian HPV vaccine, CERVAVAC, which protects against four different types of HPV infections.
Please elaborate about screening age and frequency and why is this important?
All women between 30- 60 years of age should undergo screening test for cervical cancer. All HPV infections do not turn into cancer. Even when HPV infection lasts for long, it causes certain changes in the cervix before causing cancer. These changes can be detected by a simple test performed by your doctor. It is called pap smear. It should be done after three years till the age of 60.
With newer screening tests, we can detect infection with HPV. The advantage of HPV testing is that if you test negative for it, then the chances of having cervical cancer over the next five years are extremely low. So, further screening tests can be done after five years.
If you have to break any misconception regarding the disease, what would that be?
There is no need to be scared if you test positive. It just means that you are at a higher risk of developing cancer than the rest of the population. You will need further tests, colposcopy, and or biopsy for confirmation and treatment. These early lesions and even cervical cancer can be treated if diagnosed on time.
Any message for the readers?
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PGIMER, urges everyone—parents, caregivers, young adults and community leaders—to come forward and be a part of WHO’s vision through vaccination and screening. Save yourself and your loved ones from this preventable cancer. Get caccinated, get screened now. Book a screening, or vaccination for you mother, daughter, or wife/girlfriend.
WHO Vision
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends one or two doses of vaccine for girls/women between the ages of 9 to 20, and two doses after the age of 20 years for better coverage. The WHO has proposed a robust global 90–70–90 strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. All countries must meet the following targets by the year 2030:
• 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15
• 70% of women should have been screened with a high-performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age
• 90% of women identified with cervical disease should receive treatment
