New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) Vaccination, screening, and early treatment are essential strategies in the battle against cervical cancer, which claims the life of a woman in India every eight minutes, according to health professionals on Friday.

January is recognized worldwide as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus targets the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. While an HPV infection does not directly indicate cancer, it necessitates testing or screening to determine if it has induced any alterations in the cervix.

“Cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most prevalent cancers among women. In India, a woman succumbs to cervical cancer every eight minutes. This statistic underscores the severity of the issue. In several countries, these fatalities are significantly lower due to the fact that cervical cancer is entirely preventable. Timely screening or appropriate vaccination can nearly eliminate the risk,” stated Dr. Sujata Pathak, a Scientist in Preventive Oncology at IRCH, AIIMS Delhi, in an interview with IANS.

“Preventing cervical cancer serves as one of the most effective instances of cancer control in contemporary medicine. The disease is mainly attributed to chronic infection with high-risk HPV, and it can largely be prevented through a blend of vaccination, screening, and early intervention,” Dr. Rahul D. Modi, a gynecologic oncologist at a Delhi hospital, added.

Experts pointed out that the disease burden in India is significantly high due to insufficient awareness.

Pathak noted that the HPV vaccine has been accessible since 2006, yet awareness has remained low. Recently, awareness levels have risen as the WHO has identified cervical cancer as a major public health concern.

“The HPV vaccine, recommended for adolescents before they become sexually active, can avert the majority of cervical cancer cases by guarding against the most oncogenic HPV strains. When widely implemented, vaccination programs can substantially lower HPV infections, precancerous lesions, and future cancer occurrences,” Modi explained to IANS.

The HPV vaccine is recognized as very safe and thoroughly tested. Minor side effects, such as pain at the injection site, redness, or mild fever for a day, can occur, comparable to other vaccines. There are no significant side effects, she clarified.

It is advised that girls aged 9 to 14 years receive the vaccine in two doses. For those older than this age, three doses are necessary. According to the WHO, even a single dose can offer protection for up to 20 years.

In addition to vaccination, maintaining good menstrual hygiene and overall health is vital.

In around 90 percent of cases, HPV infections resolve on their own within two years.

Screening is equally vital. Tests like pap smears and HPV DNA testing can identify precancerous alterations in the cervix long before they progress to invasive cancer. AIIMS Delhi has also initiated a month-long free screening program for cervical cancer.

“Cancer typically develops over a span of 15-20 years, providing ample time for screening and intervention,” Pathak stated, emphasizing that timely screening helps identify changes before cancer manifests. AIIMS Delhi is offering a month-long free cervical cancer screening initiative.

Symptoms usually present late; however, by that time, the cancer is often advanced.

Late-stage symptoms may encompass post-menopausal bleeding, bleeding between periods, excessive white discharge, abdominal pain, or lower back pain. While these symptoms do not always indicate cancer, they should never be disregarded, Pathak warned IANS.