• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Kashmir Scan

News Magazine

  • Health
  • Interview
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Environment & Technology
  • SOCIETY
    • Education
    • Feature
  • Special Report
  • Business, Sports & Entertainment
Home » JANUARY IS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)

JANUARY IS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Posted on January 24, 2022 by KS News Desk | Last updated on January 25, 2022

By Dr Tejinder Kaur

Cervical cancer is a form of cancer that affects the cervix cells, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer amongst Indian women (second only to Breast cancer).

The Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV can infect the cells on the surface of the skin and those lining the genitals, spreading through skin-to-skin contact and through sexual activity. HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, of which more than 40 are spread through direct sexual contact. HPV types 16 and 18 cause 80% of the cervical cancer cases; HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts, and another five types of HPV ( type 31, 33,45,52 and 58) can lead to cancer of the cervix, Anus, vulva/ vagina, penis or throat.

HPV is one of the most common STD, and it is estimated that three-quarters of all reproductive-age people have been infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but not everyone with HPV develops cervical cancer. In a majority of the population, this virus produces no symptoms, and the body’s immunity is able to clear it on its own. However, in about 5% of women, infection with high-risk strains of HPV ( 6 and 18) accounts for nearly all the cases of cervical cancer. Hence, the high-risk strains of the HPV virus are the main targets of the HPV vaccines that are available today.

Early signs of cervical cancer are not too evident, and symptoms appear only after cancer had advanced. Hence it is important that every woman is tested regularly. This includes an OPD based Pap smear and HPV test to identify a woman at risk for developing cervical cancer. Because cervical cancer is a slow disease, abnormal cells can be identified on a Pap test before the woman is considered to have cervical cancer. Cervical cancer may cause vaginal bleeding between menstruation or after sex, unhealthy vaginal discharge, pain during sex or bleeding after menopause.

It is also essential to keep in mind that cervical cancer is preventable with vaccinations. This vaccine should be given at a young age ( age 11-26) before a person becomes sexually active and is also recommended to boys and men, offering them protection against penile, anal cancers and head & neck cancers.

Additional information to the readers- 

Pap test- costs between ₹250-900 depending on hospitals/Clinics/Lab charges.

HPV tests cost between ₹2500-3500 depending on different Lab Charges.

There are currently 2 HPV vaccines available in the market- Bivalent vaccine ( targeting HPV type 16 and 18) with MRP of ₹2250/- for each dose;

Quadrivalent vaccine ( targeting HPV type 16,18,6&11) with MRP of ₹3299/- each dose ; and Nonavalent vaccine ( targeting HPV types (16,18,6,11/31,33,45,52&58) with MRP ₹11000/- for each dose.

Dr Tejinder Kaur (DNB (OBG), MNAMS, Fellowship Reproductive Medicine, Practising in Chandigarh- Mohali- Zirakpur

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Latest e-Magazine

Explore All

Video Gallery

90-Year-Old Man Running Water Mill (Gratte)

Explore All Videos

  • Facebook

Interviews

Shakespeare of the Valley

Manzoor Akash, the Shakespeare of the Kashmir Valley, whose literary brilliance knows no bounds. As a teacher, author, and award-winning columnist, Akash’s words resonate with passion and purpose. By Aijaz Ahmad In the beautiful Kashmir Valley, in the middle of India, many talented young people live. They not only do well in India but also […]

  • Cadaver Transplants Offer the Gift of Life from Loss: Dr Saleem Wani
  • RuPosh: Advancing Organic Beauty Products
  • Rakshanda’s Artistic Odyssey
  • Police in Uniform represents Public; Policing reflects Societal Dynamics of a Given Time & Space: SSP Srinagar 
  • ‘J&K Witnesses Renewed Progress & Empowerment Post Article 370 Abrogation’
  • Smart City Mission Will Bring Commercial Vibrancy: Athar Amir Khan
  • From School Topper to JKAS
  • ‘I was always passionate about serving the cause of justice’
  • ‘My Parents’ Uncompromising Struggle Inspired Me’
  • Qamar Hamidullah: A Writer Par Excellence
  • “Artificial Intelligence may not replace diagnostic radiologist in future”
  • EXCLUSIVE  INTERVIEW Navya Naveli Nanda talks about her equation with mom Shweta Bachchan Nanda and grandmother Jaya Bachchan; says, ‘There is a lot of conflict and arguments’ – Exclusive
  • Menstrual Hygiene Is The Most Neglected Topic In Our Society: Dr Mehzaad 
  • “Sarposh Will Be A Global Phenomenon Very Soon”
  • The Downtown Star
  • Karnah’s Sensation
  • Determined to Shine
  • ZOON: Reviving Habba Khatoon’s Poetry
  • A DREAM RUN
  • ‘I ALWAYS HAD A NERVE TOWARDS SOCIAL WORK.’

More Posts from this Category

© 2005–2025 Kashmir Scan Magazine