The news of the sudden demise of actress and model Poonam Pandey shocked everyone. According to media reports, the 32-year-old actress was suffering from cervical cancer, although this has not been completely confirmed yet. But for the last few decades, cases of cervical cancer and deaths due to it have been increasing rapidly around the world. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in India with a prevalence of 18.3 percent (123,907 cases). According to the report, it is also the second leading cause of death among women with a mortality rate of 9.1 percent.
In the interim Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced to increase cervical cancer vaccination (HPV) in the country in view of the increasing risk of cervical cancer. Health experts say that women need to take special precautions regarding the risk of cervical cancer. Let us understand this serious cancer in more detail.
Know about cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is considered to be a serious type of cancer that occurs in the cervix. The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a common virus that can be spread from one person to another during sexual intercourse. At least half of sexually active people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives, although our body’s immune system fights the infection.
Know the symptoms of cervical cancer
Reports show that cervical cancer is most common in people aged 35 to 44 years. However, this rate is decreasing due to screening and the HPV vaccine. All people are advised to pay serious attention to its symptoms.
Health experts say that the symptoms of cervical cancer are not very obvious in the early stages, due to which most women do not get diagnosed with cancer until it reaches the advanced stage. However, it is important for everyone to pay attention to some symptoms.
Abnormal bleeding between periods, after sex.
Vaginal discharge that looks or smells different than normal.
Frequent pain in the pelvic area.
Frequent need to urinate and pain during urination.
The risk of cervical cancer is higher in these people.
A variety of risk factors can increase the risk of cervical cancer, which all require serious attention and prevention. HPV infection is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer. Some other factors may also increase the risk.
smoking – obesity,
Family history of cervical cancer,
low intake of fruits and vegetables,
taking birth control pills,
Getting pregnant before the age of 17.
Even if you have one or more of these factors, you are not destined to get cervical cancer. To check this, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
HPV vaccination is a method of prevention
According to health experts, HPV vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. In the budget of 2024-25, the Finance Minister has announced to increase the vaccination rate in the country, so that more and more people can be protected from this deadly type of cancer. Researchers said HPV vaccination may help reduce the increased risk of cervical cancer. It has been found that the vaccines help reduce HPV infections and cancers by more than 90 percent.