Cancer is one of the fastest-growing and scariest diseases in the world today, and cervical cancer ranks fourth among all cancers. At present, one person dies every 2 minutes from this disease. Nowadays, women are coming into the grip of cervical cancer very fast. This cancer develops in a woman's cervix, primarily due to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Importantly, it is the leading cause of death by cancer among women in 42 countries. It takes a frightening form if it is not diagnosed in the early stages, and people can even lose their lives.
Prevention from cervical cancer
As we all know, prevention is better than cure. In case of a disease such as cervical cancer, more so. One can do the following to prevent themselves or their loved ones from Cervical Cancer:
- Early consultation with a gynecologist should be sought in case of the following symptoms:
- Spotting in between periods
- Pain or discomfort during intercourse
- Slight bleeding post menopause
- Increased vaginal discharge, either watery or bloody
- Early-stage cervical cancer is diagnosed only by a PAP smear. A PAP smear should be done for early identification of "at risk" cases, usually every 3 years for women between the ages of 21 to 65 years.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls under the age of 26 years is very important and must be done at the recommended intervals.
- Use of barrier method of contraception like a condom while having sex is paramount in preventing cervical cancer.
- Avoid smoking to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.
In this modern world, the medical field has shown vast improvement over the past years. Around 93% of cervical cancers are curable, and certain actions can prevent them. So, seek help and find a solution without any hesitation in case you feel there’s something of concern. Don’t ignore or wait for the problem to become big, catch it in time.
