Unravelling Cervical Cancer Myths

Discarding these myths can help in prevention, early detection and cure of Cervical cancer

In today's fast-paced world, women are not just mere homemakers but also achieving success on the professional front. However, this dual lifestyle is taking a toll on their health making them vulnerable to various lifestyle ailments such as obesity, depression, chronic backache, diabetes and hypertension.

One of the major lifestyle diseases, which have witnessed an increase in the recent past, is cancer. Surveys show that breast cancer and cervical cancer are the two most common types of cancer affecting women.

There are certain myths that people have regarding these cancers especially cervical cancer.

The author is Consultant, Gynae-Oncology, Action Cancer Hospital

What is Cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is the abnormal growth of uncontrolled tissue that exists in the cervix uteri. The predominant symptoms of this disease, which is caused mainly (98 per cent) by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), are abnormal bleeding and vaginal discharge. As per WHO estimates, every year more than 1,30,000 Indian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and around 74,000 die from it.

In the light of this, it becomes very important that they are made aware of the real facts so that the disease is nipped in the bud.

Prevention

Cervical cancer is the only cancer that is preventable but many people believe that the disease cannot be averted. However, two major vaccines for HPV -- Gardasil and Cervarix -- are now available which can be given to girls from age 12. These vaccines are given thrice in a span of six months to complete a course.

Further, if the disease is detected at a pre-cancerous stage, then it can be totally cured. Regular Pap Smear and HPV DNA are two most common preventive tests of cervical cancer. Women who are sexually active are advised to undergo these tests annually. Those who have had normal Pap tests for 3 years in a row may take the test at an interval of three years.

A 45-year old cervical cancer patient of mine is leading a normal life today only due to her vigilance and alertness towards her health. She underwent Pap Smear Tests after she had complaints of abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge. But the results were normal. However, when the symptoms were persistent, she underwent biopsy test which revealed that she was suffering from stage 1A cervical cancer.

Since the cancer was detected at an early stage, it was possible to cure her completely only through a surgery. Some women avoid undergoing a biopsy test fearing the spread of the cancer cells. However, this is not true and the test is necessary for the accurate diagnosis of the disease.

Some myths

1. There is a strong myth that only women who have had more than one sexual partner get affected by the disease. But there are a large number of women, who have had one sexual partner and are still affected by cervical cancer because HPV is spread easily by intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area regardless of the number of sexual partners.

2. Again, a common notion is that condoms provide 100 per cent protection against HPV. No doubt, it provides protection and reduces the risk of getting affected by the disease but it should be kept in mind that the virus can be transmitted via other portions of genitalia not covered by condoms.

3. One very common myth prevailing among young females is that they cannot get affected by cervical cancer and it affects only elder females. But the fact is that this disease can affect people of any age group and one should go for screening right from the age of 21. Generally, older women believe that they don't require Pap Smears. However, older women should also continue taking PAP tests regularly until at least the age of 70. The risk of the disease does not decrease with advanced age.

Since cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented, it is imperative that people should get the facts about this disease right so that timely measures are taken to avert it. Self-awareness is the most powerful step that can be taken in order to eradicate the disease.