The incidence of new cancer cases among women is rapidly increasing day by day, with breast cancer being the most common cancer followed by cervical cancer among Indian women. Cervical cancer, endometrial or Uterine cancer and ovarian cancer are the most common gynaecological cancers we see in women.
Shedding light on gynaecological cancer, Dr M. Suneetha, Sr. Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Clinical Director, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad explained that although we see a decline in cervical cancer in the last decade, we often come across some young women, especially from rural backgrounds falling prey to this disease. Unfortunately, most of the women present in very late stages due to a lack of awareness about the availability of screening tests and also neglecting the symptoms. This negligence is costing us a lot of young lives.
Cervical cancer being the most common gynaecological cancer is caused by a small virus called Human Papilloma Virus which gains access to the cervix once the sexual life of a woman starts and lies over the surface for many years. By and large, the body’s immune system helps to fight and get rid of the infection, but due to other risk factors like low immune system of the body, repeated wear and tear of the cervix due to sexual activity, smoking etc. the virus enters the cells lining the cervix and starts multiplying there. This eventually leads to the development of cancerous mass.
There is a huge latency period of 10 to 15 years from the entry of the virus into the cells to the development of a tumour and this is the ideal time to detect the cancer cells by doing a simple pap smear test complimented by the HPV DNA test. This is an outpatient procedure with absolutely no side effects.
According to Dr Suneetha, patients who are not on regular screening protocols should be vigilant of any symptoms related to cervical cancer especially post-coital bleeding which is bleeding immediately after the sexual activity and is often the first symptom of cervical cancer. Some women have irregular menstrual bleeding but unfortunately attribute it to perimenopausal symptoms and hence delay in seeking medical advice. Any women presenting with these symptoms will have their disease in an early stage and have a high chance of cure for their disease.
Uterine cancer or endometrial cancer also presents with irregular menstrual bleeding or post-menopausal bleeding but fortunately, we see that most of the patients present with stage 1 disease and have high chances of cure.
Dr Suneetha said that a stitch in time saves nine, hence prevention is better than cure. All of the most common gynaecological cancers are easily preventable by undergoing regular screening with a pap smear and if the patients are vigilant with the symptoms, the disease can be diagnosed in early stages with the best possible cure rates.
Women from 25 years of age should undergo a pap smear every 2 to 3 years and after 45 years mammography every 2 years to detect breast cancer. All teenage girls should get vaccinated for HPV virus infection. A woman’s health is her capital and society’s too.