Cervical Cancer Prevention: Awareness, Vaccination & Screening Key | Quick Digest

Cervical Cancer Prevention: Awareness, Vaccination & Screening Key | Quick Digest
Cervical cancer, largely preventable and curable if detected early, is a significant global health concern, particularly in India. Key prevention strategies include HPV vaccination and regular screenings like Pap tests and HPV testing. January is observed as Cervical Health Awareness Month, emphasizing education on risk factors and prevention.

HPV vaccination is a highly effective primary prevention for cervical cancer.

Regular Pap and HPV screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment.

India faces a high burden of cervical cancer and is boosting vaccination efforts.

Smoking and weakened immune systems increase cervical cancer risk.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January highlights prevention strategies.

Early detection of precancerous changes significantly improves outcomes.

Cervical cancer is a largely preventable and treatable disease, yet it remains a significant global public health challenge, claiming numerous lives annually. January is recognized as Cervical Health Awareness Month, serving as a critical reminder of the importance of education, prevention, and early detection. The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. Key prevention strategies include HPV vaccination, which is highly effective in protecting against the HPV types responsible for most cervical cancers. The vaccine is generally recommended for adolescents, with catch-up vaccination possible for young adults. Alongside vaccination, regular cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap tests and HPV tests, are crucial for detecting precancerous cell changes or the presence of high-risk HPV, allowing for timely intervention before cancer develops. These screenings are recommended at specific intervals, typically starting in the early twenties. In India, cervical cancer constitutes a major public health concern, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global burden, with approximately 120,000 new cases and 67,000 deaths annually. Recognizing this, the Indian government has prioritized HPV vaccination, announcing its inclusion in the National Immunization Program for girls aged 9 to 14 years. The launch of an indigenous HPV vaccine, Cervavac, in 2023, is a significant step towards increasing accessibility and coverage. While Pap smears are effective, visual inspection methods like VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) are often more feasible for widespread screening in low-resource settings across India. Beyond vaccination and screening, other lifestyle factors such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy immune system, and safe sexual practices also contribute to reducing the risk of cervical cancer.
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