Cervical cancer - Part 3

The phrase “prevention is better than cure” fails to work for most cancers, as treatment is the only way forward by the time they are detected. However, cervical cancer defies this conventional trajectory. It is one of the few cancers that can be very well prevented and nipped in the bud at its pre-cancer stages.

There are two main ways of reducing the risk of cervical cancer – 

1. HPV Vaccines, and 
2. regular screening through Pap Smear tests. 

HPV Vaccines

Gardasil 9 is an FDA-approved vaccine against HPV, which can be administered in girls from 11 years until 26 years for the highest level of protection. Although this particular vaccine offers protection against only one of the viruses, it effectively prevents cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Additionally, it protects against genital warts, anal cancers, and mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers. HPV can impact both men and women. As a result, theoretically, boys/men can also receive the HPV vaccine. However, it is best to consult a healthcare professional regarding the HPV vaccine. 

Given that 20% of the world population resides in India, the majority of which is the younger population, there is a growing interest in the HPV vaccine. To reduce the risk burden of cervical cancer, MSD Pharmaceuticals announced the availability of a gender-neutral HPV vaccine in India in Sept 2021, priced at ~Rs.2500. 

Pap Smear tests

The other most common way to prevent cervical cancer is by getting screened with the pap smear test. In this examination, the doctor opens the vagina using a speculum and collects cells from the cervix’s inner walls for further analysis. Abnormal cells can indicate early signs of cervical cancer, which is highly receptive to the treatment given its novice status. Women above 21 years old are eligible to get a pap smear test. In India, women above 30 years can get a pap smear done every 3 years, reducing the risk of cervical cancer going unnoticed. 

Additional ways of reducing the risk of cervical cancer are 

1. Delaying sexual intercourse until late teens or older
2. Having limited sex partners
3. Practicing safe sex through condoms 
4. Avoiding sexual intercourse with partners with multiple sexual partners and who show signs of genital infection
5. Quitting smoking

All in all, cervical cancer gives us the chance to detect it early on and eradicate it from the root, thereby improving health outcomes. 

We hope you gained some important information about cervical cancer through our three-blog series. Stay tuned for more of these mini-series on other cancer, especially those rampant in India.