Bangalore records 21.1 per 100,000 fresh cases of cervical cancer in the country a year, according to Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR). The city records the highest number of fresh cervical cancer cases compared with other metros, with Chennai recording 18.5, Delhi 17.9, Kolkata 14.2 and Mumbai 14.1 per 100,000 cases a year.
As January 22 to 29 is globally observed as the cervical cancer prevention week. DNA spoke to few city-based experts about the disease, treatment and why even educated urban women are sceptical about cervical cancer screening.
Women aged between 35 and 64 are commonly affected by cervical cancer. However, the disease is common among rural women than their urban counterparts.
“Several factors, including low socio-economic status and poor hygiene, can lead to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection which leads to cervical cancer. Also, among the rural population, early marriage and birth of multiple children are common and these can lead to cervical cancer. Moreover, lack of screening facilities results in late stage diagnosis among the rural population,” Dr Venkatachala K, consultant, surgical oncologist, HCG Hospital, said.
“Though there are vaccines, they protect only against certain types of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancers. They are mainly recommended for girls aged between nine and 26 years. They can also protect against cancers of vulva/vagina and genital warts,” said Dr Venkatachala. However, regular, cervical cancer screening should continue even after vaccination, as it does not provide protection against all HPV. If there is HPV infection already, the vaccine won’t protect from any cancerous changes that are caused by such infection, he added. “It is essential for women to undergo Pap Smear test, which will help detect cervical cancer, at least once a year from 21 years of age or ideally after their first sexual intercourse,” Dr CN Patil, consultant medical oncology, Apollo Hospital, said. “Since the disease can many a time be asymptomatic, women should undergo screening once a year for three consecutive years. If report comes normal thrice, then screening once in five years is enough,” he said.
While an early screening can lead to an early diagnosis and lesser complications, hardly any women, even well educated ones, in their 20s and 30s voluntarily opt for one. “Most women believe the disease can affect anyone, but not them. For some, cancer screening is inconvenient and cumbersome. There is also this myth that Pap Smear can be painful, while it is not,” Dr Patil said.
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