look news india
Role of early detection in improving cancer survival rates: If the disease is detected early, treatment becomes more effective and the chances of recovery are higher. Some types of cancer, such as HPV-related cancers, can be life-saving if detected early. Human papillomavirus is the leading cause of cervical cancer, accounting for about 99% of cases, and is linked to other cancers affecting both men and women.
In India, cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in women, accounting for 18.3% of cases, causing approximately 342,000 global deaths every year. However, because of its long onset stage, HPV-related cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through vaccination and regular screening.
Importance of regular testing for HPV
According to renowned oncologist Dr. Chief Scientific and Innovative Officer (Metropolis Healthcare) Kirti Chadha, symptoms of cervical cancer are not visible in the initial stages, it grows slowly, symptoms like irregular bleeding or discomfort appear. Regular screening, such as Pap smears and HPV tests, are important to identify precancerous changes before they develop into cancer.
Screening guidelines recommend that women over the age of 30 undergo high-risk HPV testing or Pap-HPV testing every 5 years, which helps detect the virus along with Pap smear analysis for cell abnormalities . This combination test, or co-test, is effective in detecting early-stage abnormalities, allowing timely intervention before the cancer attacks.
Progress has been made in cancer testing
Advances in technology have greatly improved the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Newer methods such as liquid-based cytology (LBC) and HPV DNA testing provide higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy.
Dr. For example, in our experience over the past decade, we have seen a linear increase in LBC testing and a fourfold increase in abnormality detection, which reflects the impact of these advances, said Kirti Chadha. Molecular HPV testing, which includes DNA and mRNA analysis, allows accurate detection of high-risk virus strains, thereby enhancing prevention efforts.
Cancer prevention measures
The World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated an ambitious strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. This includes 90% HPV vaccine coverage for girls aged 15, 70% screening for women aged 35 and 45, and treatment of 90% of pre-cancerous and cancerous cases. Meeting these goals could significantly reduce HPV-related cancer rates worldwide.
Despite advances in screening and vaccination, people's lack of willingness to get tested regularly remains a challenge. Public awareness campaigns stress the importance of regular checkups and preventive care. The recent introduction of 'self collection kits' may help overcome the challenge of lack of active testing among women.
With the ease of testing, more women can be encouraged to get tested, so that cells can be detected before they become cancerous. Individuals must be empowered to be proactive with HPV vaccination and regular screening to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers and ensure a healthy future for women.