Cervical Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Diagnosis
Over the last few decades, the burden of non-communicable diseases including; diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases have become more severe (Kengne et al., 2017; Rakhshanda et al., 2021). Due to the changes in the life style among different group of people is creating such epidemiological transitions (Gelibo et al., 2017; Kengne et al., 2017). Data from various sources shows that, these deaths took place more in low- and middle-income countries and 80% of deaths take place in these countries (Gelibo et al., 2017).
Amongst these diseases, Cancer is the second leading causes to death (Cervical Cancer Screening in Developing Countries: Report of a WHO Consultation, 2002; The Global Economic Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, 2011; Gelibo et al., 2017; Rakhshanda et al., 2021) and majority of the cancer deaths take place in the swiftly developing countries of Asia and Latin America including Bangladesh (Cervical Cancer Screening in Developing Countries : Report of a WHO Consultation, 2002; Gelibo et al., 2017; Hussain, 2013; Rakhshanda et al., 2021; Uddin et al., 2013). In Bangladesh, lung cancer and mouth and oropharynx are found to be more prevalent cancers among males. In women, cervix uteri cancer and breast cancer are most prominent (Cervical Cancer Screening in Developing Countries: Report of a WHO Consultation, 2002; Hussain, 2013; Uddin et al., 2013).
January is the month of Cervical Cancer Awareness. So, after knowing about the severity of this issue, let’s get some more information about Cervical Cancer.
What is Cervical Cancer
Cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell division which spreads very quickly throughout the other parts of the body. Basically, cervical cancer is a cancer and that occurs in the cell of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus which connects to the vagina. Various strains of a sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV), play the major role in causing most cervical cancer. When one person gets exposed to HPV, usually the body’s immune system tries to prevent the virus from doing harm. However, in a small percentage of people, the virus survives for years, which contribute to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
Causes and vulnerability
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible for Cervical Cancer. This virus is commonly spread through sexual contact and primarily can cause an infection in the cervix. This may cause the cervix cells to change and become pre-cancer cells. Sometimes, without proper earlier detection and treatment pre-cancer cells may turn into cancer. Women above 30 years are the most vulnerable groups.
Risk Factors
In addition to having HPV, several factors may affect the risk of developing cervical cancer including:
- Smoking
- Having multiple partners
- Having HIV
- Giving birth to more than 3 children.
Symptoms
Cervical cancer may not show any symptoms at the earlier stage. But after a certain time period, in the advanced cervical cancer periods the following symptoms may develop:
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
- White discharge from the vagina
- Bleeding after sex
- Sometimes bleeding or spotting between menstruation periods.
Diagnosis
To find out if someone are at risk for Cervical Cancer, there are three types of screening tests:
- The Pap Smear test
- The HPV test
- The VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid).
These tests can be helpful to detect cervical cancer before it develops.
Prevention
The following activities can be done to prevent Cervical cancer:
- To do regular screening after 30s.
- To follow up on abnormal screening results.
- To quit smoking.
- To use condoms during intercourse.
- To limit the number of sexual partners.
- To get HPV vaccine.
(Source: Cervical-Cancer-Factsheet.pdf)
Two places you can get the vaccine:
The month of January is the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination that can help prevent certain types of cancers. HPV infections can cause more than just cervical cancer and may also lead to invasive testing and treatment for cervical precancers. (NFID, 2019)
Read a related news article clicking here.
References
- Cervical cancer screening in developing countries: report of a WHO consultation. (2002). World Health Organization.
- Gelibo, T., Getachew, T., Bekele, A., Defar, A., Amenu, K., Taddesse, M., Teklie, H., Assefa, Y., & Kebede, A. (2017). Availability and readiness of services for cancer care at health facilities in Ethiopia: Implication for action (Vol. 31).
- Hussain, S. M. A. (2013). Comprehensive update on cancer scenario of Bangladesh. South Asian Journal of Cancer, 02(04), 279–284. https://doi.org/10.4103/2278-330x.119901
- Kengne, A. P., Bentham, J., Zhou, B., Peer, N., Matsha, T. E., Bixby, H., di Cesare, M., Hajifathalian, K., Lu, Y., Taddei, C., Bovet, P., Kyobutungi, C., Agyemang, C., Aounallah-Skhiri, H., Assah, F. K., Barkat, A., Romdhane, H. ben, Chan, Q., Chaturvedi, N., … Mbanya, J. C. N. (2017). Trends in obesity and diabetes across Africa from 1980 to 2014: An analysis of pooled population-based studies. International Journal of Epidemiology, 46(5), 1421–1432. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx078
- Rakhshanda, S., Dalal, K., Chowdhury, H. A., Mayaboti, C. A., Paromita, P., Rahman, A. K. M. F., Hussain, A. H. M. E., & Mashreky, S. R. (2021). Assessing service availability and readiness to manage cervical cancer in Bangladesh. BMC Cancer, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08387-2
- The Global Economic Burden of Non-communicable Diseases. (2011). www.weforum.org/EconomicsOfNCD
- Uddin, A. F. M. K., Mahmud, A., Islam, J., & Khan, Z. (2013). Cancer care scenario in Bangladesh. South Asian Journal of Cancer, 2(2), 102. https://doi.org/10.4103/2278-330x.110510
