So What Is Cervical Cancer Really? #TakeChargeHealth2017

January is World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. But nobody is really aware of the fact and nobody really cares. It's only another cancer in a long list of cancers, isn’t it?

No. It isn’t. And you should care. Very much so….

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in our country. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are women health hazards and India contributes to 1/4th of the world death statistics in cervical cancer!
 

It is a disease largely eradicated in the western world simple because it is 100% preventable and the West is taking strong preventive measures. India on the other hand, has zero preventive care awareness.

Cervical cancer is the cancer of the mouth of the uterus and the only cancer that is caused by a viral infection. It is a sexually transmitted cancer with men being the carriers. Almost all women, at some time in their sexual history, will get this viral infection but it doesn’t always turn cancerous. Most women with good immunity are able to flush out this infection normally. But for some it turns cancerous. And… it has an 8-10yr-gestation period.  That means – from the time of infection to the point that the cells become cancerous and begin to spread it takes at least 8-10 yrs! A simple pap test can detect precancerous stages anytime during the gestation period. The PAP test needs to be done once in 3 years and a cervical cancer specific test which is the HPVDNA test along with the pap test needs to be done once in 5 years only.

Imagine – a simple test to be done once in 5 yrs can prevent cervical cancer and yet we lose one woman every 7 minutes to cervical cancer in India! Isn’t that a tragic waste? What will it take to have women take responsibility for their health?

CAPED – Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Early Detection is an organization that is trying to create awareness of cervical cancer. We urge every woman to study the literature and decide for yourself how important is prevention for you and the other women members of your family. Learn about cervical cancer and spread the information to others. Create a chain and protect women everywhere. Tell your maid and your elders who are not tech-savvy enough to read up on the latest information. Create Awareness.

A Cervical Cancer Vaccine has also been introduced into the market about 10 yrs ago. The FDA clears the vaccine for girls of 11 yrs to women of 45 yrs. Ideally it needs to be administered before girls are sexually active and the younger the child the better able to create anti-bodies their human system is. (Which is why we vaccinate children for all diseases at a young age -Because the body creates anti-bodies better at the growing age.) The Western world has mixed reviews on the vaccine, which is understandable because they don’t have a high incidence of the disease. India on the other hand has to take all radical steps to eradicate the disease after which we can pick and choose our preventive measures. Therefore CAPED urges mothers to speak to your pediatrician or gynecologist and decide about the vaccine for your daughters and yourselves. Make an educated decision and make sure your daughter is aware of your decision. If she is vaccinated she should be told about it and she will still need a pap test once she’s sexually active. If she is not vaccinated please inform her about the pap test and cervical cancer so she is aware about her health responsibilities even before she is sexually active.

It is about you and me and our girls and our health. Let's take it seriously. A very small act can save a huge disaster from occurring. Let's do it. Be aware, be safe!

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