One woman dies every 7 minutes from cervical cancer; doctor explains how to detect it in the early stages

News Topical, Digital Desk : Cervical cancer is caused by uncontrolled changes in the capillaries of the cervix. The most common cause is HPV, or human papillomavirus. It is usually spread through sexual contact with a person infected with the virus.

It can be spread from man to woman and woman to man. In 90 percent of women, it remains dormant. This period can last 10-15 years or even longer. Early screening significantly increases the chances of surviving the cancer.

Early check-up is necessary

Dr. Sarika Gupta explains that cancer is considered an incurable disease. However, significant positive progress has been made in its treatment. Women should undergo Pap smear and HPV testing every three years. This can help detect cancer early. Because symptoms are not visible in the early stages, most women do not consult a doctor. By the second or third stage, it is too late.

Smoking is a big risk 

If women smoke, it increases the risk of HPV infection. Cancer-causing cells can become more active. Therefore, try to avoid smoking or being in contact with smokers. Boys should also be vaccinated. 

To prevent cervical cancer, boys should also be vaccinated so they develop immunity and don't become carriers of the virus. It's worth noting that boys are most likely carriers of this cancer.

Keep these things in mind

• If you have a problem related to menstruation, do not just bring medicines, get yourself checked once.
• Get the HPV vaccine for girls ages 9 to 15. Getting vaccinated at a young age helps build immunity against the infection.
• Be sure to get the cervical cancer vaccine by the age of 26. After that, you can get the vaccine after consulting a doctor until the age of 45-50.

Understand the seriousness

• 1,27,000 new cases of cervical cancer were reported in India in 2022.
• One woman is dying due to this every seven-eight minutes. 
• The screening rate is two percent, meaning only two out of every hundred women are getting screened for this cancer. According to Globocan data from 2022, this figure is 70 percent in the US.

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