Can We Control Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is voraciously consuming women of reproductive age. The third most common kind of cancer claims practically half a million ladies worldwide. This disease is much more prevalent in developing countries and accounts for 80% of global mortality across the globe.

Out of a group of human papilloma viruses (HPV), a few varieties have been categorized under high risk- human papilloma viruses (HPV). These varieties have been proved to be the causative agents of cervical cancer. This malignant neoplasm (tumor) begins at the cervix and opens at the top of the vagina.

Common symptoms related with this illness are abnormal bleeding from the vagina, pelvic discomfort and back pain. Precancerous stage or the early stage of this illness is normally asymptomatic. This disease takes time to intensify into cancerous condition.

Risk Elements

A number of risk elements have been associated with this disease out of which few aspects can be controlled by us. A list of such aspects is as follows-

• Smoking- It has been proved that both active and passive smoking increase the risk of cervical cancer. The carcinogenic byproducts of tobacco have been discovered in the cervical mucus of the actively smoking females. These substances can damage the DNA of the cervical cells. Keeping the ill effects of smoking in view it is suggested to stop it.
  
• Oral contraceptives- Use of oral contraceptives for far more than 5 years is related with increase in the risk of cervical cancer. The mechanism of action of contraceptives is not clear but it is hypothesized that hormone-related mechanisms promotes the integration of HPV DNA into the host genome. This in turn promotes the transition from premalignant to malignant state. As an option to contraceptives it is advisable to use condoms.
  
• High Parity- Sex at a particularly early age and a greater rate of full term pregnancies is closely connected with this disease. A greater rate of pregnancy maintains the transformation zone on the exocervix for lots of years. This in turn facilitates the direct exposure to HPV and other cofactors. Sex education to adolescent girls will be valuable to eradicate this dilemma.
  
• Weakened Immune System- Food rich in crucial nutrients boosts up our immune technique. Vegetables and fruits are wealthy in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which help us to fight against several illnesses such as cervical cancer.
  
• Secure Sex- A females having multiple sexual partners or whose sexual partner participates in high risk sexual activities can effortlessly succumb to this disease. Sex education can be a solution to this difficulty also.

Detection / Preventive Measures

Use of vaccination and Pap smears (Papanicolaou test)

• Vaccinations - Scientists across the world are struggling tough to synthesize a vaccine which can fight this deadly illness. They have achieved success to some extent as the vaccines are capable of fighting against only few strains of HPV. Moreover the identification of target group for administration of vaccine entails some ethical issues. Rather young pre-pubertal girls who had no prior sexual exposure are the perfect target for vaccination. Hence vaccination does not assure a complete eradication of cervical cancer.
  
• Pap smears- Cells scrapped from the tip of the cervix are observed under microscope to detect the cancerous or precancerous condition of the cervix. It is advisable to have this test completed right after the age of 21 at just about every two years of intervals. This test detects the illness in quite initial stage producing its remedy less difficult. Awareness about this test and making it obtainable at a more affordable price is a favorable step towards control of cervical cancer in developing countries.
  
• Apart from these preventive measures actions to manage risk factors and common maintenance of wellness and hygiene is also suggested to manage this illness.

Vaccines are being promoted by the doctors and pharmaceutical providers. But a number of facts are not being communicated to the widespread man. Vaccine alone is like a half equipped, single man army fighting against a deadly disease like cervical cancer. Awareness about all the angles of this disease is quite critical as getting Pap smears accomplished and leading a healthy sexual life are also equally crucial.