Cervical Cancer: Stop before it starts

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women of Bangladesh. In spite of claiming thousands of women's lives every year, it hardly receives due attention. The cancer that affects the cervix (lower part of the uterus) is highly preventable with regular screening and vaccine — both are available locally.

January is the cervical cancer awareness month. It is time to remind women to pay attention to their cervix by checking or screening for deadly cancer and its catastrophic consequences.

Almost all women are at risk of cervical cancer! It occurs most often in women over age 30. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. It passes from one person to another during sexual intercourse. At least half of sexually active women will have HPV at some points in their lives, but few women will ever get cervical cancer. In most cases, HPV will go away naturally; however, if it does not, there is a chance that — over time, it may cause cervical cancer.

In addition to HPV, other cofactors can increase the risk of cervical cancer including having sex at an early age, multiple sex partners or partner who has multiple partners, smoking, repeated pregnancies, weak immune system, exposure to the hormonal drug Diethylstilbestrol, hormonal contraception for a longer period of time, Chlamydia infection, family history of cervical cancer, poor economic status etc.

Early on, cervical cancer may not manifest with signs and symptoms. However, the following symptoms may be associated with cancer:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse 
• Bleeding after menopause 
• Continuous vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody or foul-smelling 
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse 

Cervical cancer is diagnosed through a series of examinations. A simple procedure called VIA test (done free of cost at government hospitals) and Pap smear are most commonly used techniques for screening cervical cancer. Recently, an HPV DNA test is widely used to determine the high-risk strains of HPV that will most likely lead to cervical cancer. The good news is if the cancer is diagnosed early, it is almost 100 percent curable.

Along with the screening, we have powerful preventive tool — HPV vaccine to prevent this cancer. Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active, but it can be taken ever after starting sex, if the HPV DNA test is negative. The vaccine is given in three shots over six-months which helps the body to develop immunity against HPV. If you are eligible and can afford the vaccine, you should get vaccinated. Remember that you are never old to get shots.

In this month, along with the international community, Bangladesh can also commence special campaign to raise awareness on cervical cancer. This is a much needed campaign that can save thousands of lives every year who are unnecessarily dying from cervical cancer.

Published in The Daily Star on 21 Jan, 2012