What is cervical cancer?
Around the world, cervical cancer is the fourth most widespread cancer among women in recent years. As per WHO, there were 604,000 new cases. Sadly 90% of the 342,000 deaths from cervical cancer happened in countries with lower and middle income. The places with the highest rates of cervical cancer cases and deaths are sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
If a woman has HIV, she is 6 times more likely to get cervical cancer than someone without HIV. About 5% of all cervical cancer cases are because of HIV. Unfortunately, younger women are affected more by HIV-related cervical cancer. Shockingly, 20% of children who lost their mom to cancer lose them because of cervical cancer.
Understanding the Causes of Cervical Cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that can be passed through sexual intercourse. It can affect the skin, private parts, and throat. Almost everyone who is sexually active will get it at some point, but generally, there are no signs.
Most of the time, the body's defense system gets rid of HPV. However, if a person keeps having high-risk HPV, it can lead to abnormal cells that might turn into cancer.
If you have a lasting HPV infection in the cervix (The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina), and you don't get proper treatment, it can lead to 95% of cervical cancers.
Usually, it takes 15-20 years for unusual cells to turn into cancer. But in women with weaker immune systems, like those with untreated HIV, this process can speed up and happen in 5-10 years.
Things that increase the chance of cancer growing include the kind of HPV, how strong your immune system is, having other infections from sex, how many times you've given birth, being young when you had your first baby, using hormonal birth control, and smoking.
Top 7 Benefits of HPV Vaccine.
Protection against various cancers
Apart from protecting against cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine also defends against other cancers caused by high-risk HPV types. This includes anal, penile, and throat cancers, lowering the chances of getting these diseases.
Prevents genital warts
The vaccine works well in reducing the chance of getting genital warts caused by less harmful HPV types. By stopping these warts, the vaccine helps improve overall sexual health.
Herd immunity
Herd immunity happens when a lot of people in the community get the HPV vaccine. It makes a shield that helps everyone, even those who can't get vaccinated because of medical reasons or age. This extra protection, called herd immunity, makes it harder for HPV to spread, lowering the risk of HPV-related diseases for everyone.
Decreased medical costs
The vaccine helps cancers and problems caused by HPV, which means less money is spent on treating these diseases. This can save a lot of money in healthcare costs for both individuals and the community as a whole.
Long-term impact on public health
When more people get the HPV vaccine, it makes a big difference in public health over time. Fewer cases of cancers and problems caused by HPV mean a healthier population, with fewer people getting sick or passing away from these issues.
The HPV vaccine is an important way to stop different cancers, lower the chances of getting genital warts, stop the spread in communities, save money on healthcare, and help make everyone healthcare
Reduced precancerous lesions
In general, HPV can lead to precancerous problems in the cervix, vagina, and vulva. If we don't treat these problems, they can turn into cancer. Getting the vaccine helps stop these pre-cancerous issues from forming, preventing cancer before it can even begin.
Long-term protection
The HPV vaccine we have now gives long-lasting protection. Research shows that the immunity can last for at least 20 years and maybe even longer. This means if you get vaccinated when you're young, you can have strong protection against HPV for a big part of your adult life.
Symptoms
In the beginning, cervical cancer might not show any signs. But as it gets bigger, you might notice things like:
- Bleeding from your vagina after sex, between periods, or after menopause.
- Heavier Periods and last longer than usual.
- A discharge from your vagina that's watery, bloody, and might have a bad smell.
- Feeling pain in your pelvic area or having pain during sex.
When to see a doctor?
If you are experiencing any symptoms that make you concerned. It's a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professionals
Be aware and Take care.