Can cervical cancer be prevented? | Cervical Cancer Treatment in Bangalore | Dr Rani Bhat

1. Q & A WITH DR. RANI BHAT CAN CERVICAL CANCER BE PREVENTED? Presented By Dr. Rani Bhat

2. What is cervix & where is it situated in the body? Cervix is also known as neck of the womb, and it is situated at the lowermost portion of the womb(uterus). It is cylindrical in shape and connects the vagina and uterus. • Cervix is divided into two portions: • Ectocervix • Endocervix or endocervical canal

3. What are the functions of cervix? • Cervix produces mucus secretion (jelly like) and it changes in consistence according to menstrual cycle such as immediately after your menstruation you will not have any cervical mucus secretion but at the time of ovulation, which corresponds to mid cycle of menstruation there will be mucus secretions, during these days you will generally feel wet. • Cervix acts like a barrier and prevents infections ascending up into the uterus. • During delivery cervix dilates to almost to 10 cm to allow the baby to pass through. • During monthly menstruation, the cervix will open to permit passage of menstrual blood.

4. What kind of problems can arise in cervix? • Cervix is prone to develop some abnormalities such as: • Cervicitis • Cervical incompetence • Cervical dysplasia: also known as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) • Cervical cancer • Cervical polyps • Cervicitis

5. What is cervical cancer? • Our body is made up of millions of cells. Usually, cells have a life span and they die when they get old or damaged after which new cells are formed and take their place. • Sometimes due to genetic / environmental changes there can be interference in this orderly process and cells grow disproportionately and eventually turn into cancer. • Cancer can happen anywhere in the body, when cancer appears on cervix it is known as cervical cancer.

6. How common is cervical cancer in India? • According to Indian statistic’s, it is said that one women dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer seen in Indian women. • Cervical cancer is a preventable disease as it has a well-defined, long pre-malignant phase, which can be easily detected by regular Pap smear tests and follow up. Unfortunately, most women in India are not aware about the screening methods and thus end up getting cervical cancer.

7. What causes cervical cancer? • t’s important to remember that every sexually active woman is at risk of developing cervical cancer. Some rare type of cervical cancer can also happen in women who are not sexually active. • Cervical cancer is caused by a simple virus known as human papilloma virus (HPV).

8. How do people get HPV infection? • HPV is a viral infection and is generally transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV infection by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has this virus. It commonly spreads from one partner to another during vaginal or anal sex. • HPV infection is such a common infection that nearly all men and women who are sexually active will get it at some point in their lives. You can develop cervical changes years after being infected, making it hard to know when you first became infected.

9. Though most sexually active women acquire HPV infection, why’s that only few develop cervical cancer? HPV generally clears away from your body without any treatment. If this virus stays in your body for a long period of time it can causes changes in cervix and may lead to cancer. There are some risk factors as to why HPV doesn’t clear from body such as: • Women with many sexual partners • Women who started having sexual intercourse at a very early age. • Women who have low immunity • Women who smoke are about twice more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-smokers. • Long-term use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of developing cervical cancer • Women with history of sexually transmitted diseases are at risk of having persistent HPV infection.

10. Does cervical cancer develop overnight? No, cervical cancer doesn’t develop overnight. Before cancer can develop there is a condition called precancerous condition and it is known as cervical dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. After being exposed to HPV infection, cells of the cervix will undergo some changes and develops cervical dysplasia (precancerous condition). Remember precancerous conditions is not cancer. But, if this condition is not identified and treated they can turn into cancer. It is said that if pre-cancer condition is untreated it may take about 10 – 15 years for it to turn into cervical cancer, but in rare cases this can happen even in less time.

11. How to identify precancerous conditions of the cervix? • A well-proven way to identify precancerous condition of cervix is by doing a simple test on to the cervix called Pap test (or Pap smear). Along with Pap smear test we also check for the presence of human papilloma virus. • Pap smear test is a screening test for cervical cancer. You may wonder what is the meaning of screening? By definition screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms.

12. How to prevent cervical cancer? Cervical cancer can be prevented by: • Safe sex • Using condoms • Quit smoking • Get vaccinated • Screening

13. CONTACT INFORMATION HOSPITAL ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS No: 8, P. Kalinga Rao Road, Sampangi Ram Nagar, Bangalore,Karnataka 560020 8861432428 info@drranibhat.com www.drranibhat.com