Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu virtually inaugurated The International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) 2021 World Congress and emphasized on the need of cutting down the cost of cancer treatment. He said that cervical cancer is both preventive and curable, while urging women to get vaccinated against it.
The vice president urged people to get vaccinated against cervical cancer. He said, "Cervical cancer can be prevented by means of vaccination. Anti-HPV vaccine administered to young girls has been seen as a proven tool in the prevention of cervical cancer".
"Cervical cancer is both preventable & curable. If we adopt a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat #CervicalCancer, it can be eliminated as a public health problem", he added.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.
You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection.
Signs and Symptoms:
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
Causes:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Having many sexual partners
Smoking
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) used over the long term
Engaging in early sexual contact
Preventive measures:
Delaying first sexual intercourse until the late teens or older
Limiting the number of sex partners
Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams
Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have had many partners
Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who are infected with genital warts or who show other symptoms
Quitting smoking
