How to Prevent Cervical Cancer:
Facts, myths and science
as of 2024
Cervical Cancer is a health concern for women all across the world. As per WHO, it is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. In India however, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer accounting for 23% of the cancer cases among women. It is also relatively much easier to cure as compared to other cancers and the survival rates are much better. And yet, the real tragedy is that every 8 minutes a woman in India dies of Cervical Cancer. In the fight against cancer, correct information is your first primary form of defence. So let’s first understand what causes Prevent Cervical Cancer.
Prevent Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors
The primary cause of Cervical Cancer is HPV (human papillomavirus), which spreads mainly due to sexual contact. Most adults who have had sexual encounters probably get this virus in their bodies at some time in their lives. Under normal circumstances, their bodies can neutralise this virus. However, some strains of HPV survive in the body and start damaging the DNA of cells in the cervix. And this is the beginning of Cervical Cancer.
Multiple risk factors are associated with cervical cancer. These factors don’t cause cervical cancer per se, but have a proven correlation with it. Some of these factors are:
i. Smoking
ii. Sexual activities at a young age
iii. Giving birth to more than 3 children
iv. Excessive usage of oral contraceptivesCommon Cervical Cancer Vaccines available in India
Cervical Cancer can be prevented by vaccination. This should be your first step to making sure that Cervical Cancer does not come to haunt you and your family. Being an Indian is a definite advantage in this respect as India produces some of the world’s most effective and cheap vaccines.
The most common vaccine available in India is Gardasil 9, developed by pharma giant Merc and which, as the name suggests, offers protection against 9 variants of HPV. The vaccine is suitable for both males and females up to the age of 45. The vaccine is administered in two dosages six months apart. It is widely available in India and costs around Rs 11,000 per dose. Garadasil is a cheaper variant of this same drug which protects against the 4 most common variants of HPV and costs Rs 2000-4000 per dose.
India has also developed a vaccine for Cervical Cancer called Ceravac, developed by the Serum Institute of India. It also targets the same subvariants of HPV (variants 6, 11, 16,18) as Garadasil. It is approved for usage among males and females aged 9- 24 and is priced similarly at Rs 2000-4000 per dose.
While cervical cancer vaccines can and should be taken even by adults up to the age of 45 and that reduces the risk of cervical cancer considerably, the vaccines are most effective if taken between the ages of 9-14, before the start of sexual activities. It is a myth that Cervical cancer impacts women alone. It can impact men too and therefore they should get vaccinated as well.
Vaccination only reduces but does not eliminate the risk of Cervical Cancer. Risk factors that you need to watch out for:
Putting on a helmet or a seat belt does not mean you can avoid injury in case of an accident and you still have to drive carefully. The same goes for vaccination. Vaccination does reduce the risk of Cervical cancer through HPV by 70-90% but there are still risk factors. The five most common risk factors for Cervical Cancer are
i. Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for many types of cancers, including cervical cancer. It is believed to increase the risk in two ways. First, the carcinogenic (cancer causing) substances find their way into cervix and then damage the cells as they do in other organs like lungs, kidney, heart etc. Additionally, smoking also lowers the immunity of the body to HPV, thus increasing the chances of contracting cervical cancer. Women who smoke are twice as likely to get Cervical cancer.
ii. Family History of Cervical Cancer is a known risk factor for Cervical cancer amongst individuals. It is one of the factors which cannot be helped by changing your lifestyle, but knowledge still empowers you to take precautionary actions.
iii. Sexual History: Early Sexual activity and multiple sexual partners are both linked to higher risks of cervical cancer.
iv. Early Pregnancy and more than 3 full-term pregnancies: Women who give birth before the age of 20 as well as women who give birth more than 3 times are also at higher risk of cervical cancer.
v. Excessive use of oral contraceptives is also a risk factor for cervical cancer.
Changing your lifestyle, to whatever extent you can, will help you lower the risks associated with these factors.
Got vaccinated for cervical cancer? Reduced risk? Now be proactive and get regular screenings
Vaccination and a healthy lifestyle may reduce risks but do not eliminate the possibility of contracting cancer. You still need to be vigilant for any warning signs. Prevent Cervical cancer is particularly tricky as it takes a long time to develop and unlike most other cancers does not give early symptoms till it is in advanced stages. This is why it is often called the silent killer. One must be on the lookout for the symptoms. Some of the symptoms of Cervical Cancer are
i. Abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina
ii. Chronic Pain in the pelvic region
iii. Pain during sex
iv. Problems during urinating or bowel movement.
v. Blood in the urineEven if you don’t have any of these symptoms, it is highly recommended that you go for regular screenings, particularly after the age of 30. Pap Smear Tests and regular HPV screenings help in the early detection of the cancers and enable early treatment which is cheaper, less painful and more successful as compared to late-stage detection.
Conclusion
Secure is designed to provide you and your family with comprehensive, accessible, and affordable healthcare solutions. Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a senior citizen, there’s a plan designed to provide financial security and peace of mind.
Some key reasons why you should choose CarePal Secure are:
Extensive Coverage: Get access to a wide network of hospitals for cashless treatments, covering everything from regular health check-ups to major hospitalisations.
No Waiting Period for Essential Coverage: CarePal Secure offers immediate access to essential healthcare benefits so that yCarePal ou can receive critical medical treatment without long approval delays.
24/7 Medical Assistance & Claims Support: Our dedicated helpdesk is available round-the-clock to assist you with medical emergencies, claim processing, and consultation bookings.
Teleconsultations & Healthcare Discounts: Our seamless teleconsultation services allow you to access specialists across 18+ medical fields. Additionally, you can enjoy significant savings on medicines, diagnostic tests, and outpatient care, making quality healthcare more affordable.
Affordable Plans with Super Top-Up Options: Choose from a range of budget-friendly plans for individuals, families, and seniors. Our super top-up policy for seniors provides additional financial protection, covering larger medical expenses at a lower cost.
Tax Benefits Under Section 80D: The premiums paid toward CarePal Secure health insurance are tax-deductible, helping you save money while ensuring comprehensive coverage for yourself and your family.
With trusted partners nationwide, CarePal Secure ensures that quality healthcare is always within reach. So what are you waiting for? Join 80,000+ satisfied customers who trust CarePal Secure for their healthcare needs.
Get in touch with us to know the right plan for you.
