Don't let Cervical Cancer Stop You!

1. Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women in India^[1] 

2. Yearly approx. 1.2 Lakhs Indian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer^[4]

3. India more than 67+ thousands of women die from cervical cancer in India every year.^[4]​

Let's understand what it is?^[2,3,4,5]

1. Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina). 

2. Reproductive group- 15-44 years are at increased risk of getting cervical cancer

How the risk increases?

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancers, 

2. It gets transmitted through unprotected sexual contact

3. Person having multiple sex partners

4. Decreased immunity 

5. Prolonged use of birth control pills

Symptoms which need immediate attention:

1. Bleeding in between the periods or heavy menstrual flow

2. Pain or bleeding during or after coitus

3. Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina

4. Foul-smelling or blood in the urine 

What to do?^[3,4,5]

1. Pap smear test -A simple test to identify pre-cancers cell changes on the cervix that might turn cancerous.

2. HPV (Human papillomavirus) Vaccine protects against cervical cancers due to HPV infection by increasing the antibody production in the body preventing the virus

Recommended age, dose & gender

1. Children (Male/Female) -9-26years-2 doses (2 months apart)

2. Adults (Male/Female) - 27-45years (not vaccinated earlier)-3 doses (2nd dose-2 months & 3rd dose 4months apart)

India's indigenously developed 'Cervavac' vaccine for cervical cancer prevention will be available soon.