Cervical cancer claims one woman’s life every seven minutes in India

Cervical cancer continues to pose a serious public health challenge in India, with a woman dying from the disease every seven minutes, medical experts have warned. A new diagnosis is made every four minutes, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness, screening and prevention, particularly in rural areas where the disease is more prevalent.

Doctors say the primary cause of cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. If the virus persists over a long period, it can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix, eventually developing into cancer. The disease does not occur suddenly and is usually preceded by a pre-cancerous condition known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which can last for several years. In many cases, it can take up to a decade for this condition to progress into cancer.

Health experts stress that early detection during this pre-cancerous stage can prevent the disease through simple treatment, making regular screening crucial. Since 2022, a free cancer screening outpatient department has been operating at Ahmedabad Civil Cancer Hospital, where more than 50,000 people have been screened. Early-stage cancer was detected in 18 patients, underscoring the life-saving potential of timely screening.

Dr Shashank Pandya, Director of the Cancer Hospital at Civil Medicity, has recommended HPV vaccination as an effective preventive measure. He said women should receive two doses of the vaccine at an interval of six months, noting that it is safe and rarely causes serious side effects. The Civil Cancer Hospital has so far administered the HPV vaccine to more than 2,000 girls and young women.

Cervical cancer often does not present clear symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect without screening. However, doctors advise women to seek medical attention if they experience warning signs such as bleeding after intercourse, heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding after menopause, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, abdominal or back pain, or sores on the cervix. These symptoms may also indicate pre-cancerous conditions.

Several screening methods are available, including visual inspection with acetic acid, a simple and low-cost test in which the cervix is examined after the application of acetic acid. The Pap smear test, which involves examining cervical cells under a microscope, is another effective tool for detecting pre-cancerous changes. Medical guidelines recommend that women aged between 30 and 65 undergo screening every three to five years.

Doctors have also identified several risk factors associated with cervical cancer, including early marriage, early onset of sexual activity, multiple pregnancies, poor genital hygiene, sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual partners, and the use of tobacco and alcohol.

Women living with HIV face a particularly high risk due to weakened immunity, which makes them more susceptible to persistent HPV infection. According to data from the Civil Cancer Hospital, around 1,400 HIV-positive women have been examined so far, with HPV infection detected in 21.1% of those screened.