Asha Multispeciality Hospital
Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer
- What would I do to protect my daughter from cervical cancer?
- What would I do to protect my future
Take few steps to protect yourself:-
1) Learn more about Cervical Cancer & preventing Cervical Cancer.
2) Go the distance. Make these relationships stronger than Cervical Cancer.
3) Speak to a doctor about getting protection today.
Did you know? In India, every 7 minutes there’s a woman dying of cervical cancer.
Do everything you can to protect yourself from cervical cancer and other HPV related diseases.
What is the Cervix?
Ans: The Cervix is located at the entrance of the uterus. The cervix prevents infections from reaching the uterus. This is especially important during pregnancy, where the cervix keeps infections outside the uterus and protects the growing foetus.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Ans: Cervical Cancer is a cancer of the Cervix. In India, Cervical Cancer is the most common cause of Cancer-related death amongst women, even more common than Breast Cancer. In fact, every year in India, 132,000 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and more than 74.000 women die due to this disease. Cervical Cancer generally shows no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage.
How does one get Cervical Cancer?
Ans: Cervical Cancer is caused by a virus-the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the Cervix This cancer is not hereditary. The virus is common and is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area.
Who is likely to get Cervical Cancer?
Ans: Every sexually active woman is at risk of Cervical Cancer, throughout her life. In fact, up to 80% of women will be infected with an HPV infection at some point in their life. The risk of infection begins in adolescence and continues in to adulthood. Cervical Cancer affects women at the prime of their lives: when they play a central role in their families. Although Cervical Cancer affects older women, younger women are at the highest risk of acquiring an HPV infection that might lead to Cervical Cancer later in their lives.
How is Cervical Cancer detected?
Ans: Screening tests (e.g. Pap Smears) can detect abnormalities which indicate the pre-cancerous and early stages of Cervical Cancer. Remember, screening can only detect an HPV infection after it has happened; it cannot prevent the infection from happening in the first place.
Can Cervical Cancer be prevented?
Ans: Good news! Yes. vaccination is the only way to prevent Cervical Cancer before it happens. Vaccination works by making the body produce antibodies against the virus. These antibodies protect the body from an HPV infection, by fighting the virus when it attacks the cervix. By protecting the cervix from an HPV infection, vaccination offers protection against Cervical Cancer.
Who should take the vaccine?
Ans: Speak to your doctor about whether the vaccine is suitable for you.