Chennai: Cervical cancer ranks as the most common woman-related cancer and second leading cause of female cancer deaths in India. Chennai stands fourth among the top five cities in India with the highest incidence of cervical cancer in women as per a recent report from the ICO HPV Information Centre.
Though cervical cancer is a preventable form of cancer being a viral infection, it still has a high incidence of around 2,500 new cases every year in the city. Oncologists emphasise that cervical cancer is preventable and adopting a comprehensive approach that includes early diagnosis, effective screening and treatment programmes such as vaccination can reduce high mortality due to cervical cancer.
“Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is the major cause of cervical cancer and HPV subtypes-16 and 18 are responsible for about 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases in women aged 18 to 44 in the state. Other cofactors of the high prevalence of cervical cancer in women are tobacco smoking, high parity or number of pregnancies, long-term hormonal contraceptive use, and co-infection with HIV have been identified as established cofactors,” Dr R. Balaji, consultant oncologist at Apollo Cancer Specialty Hospital.
Cervical cancer prevalence due to smoking is 2.3 percent, contraceptive usage is 3.2 per cent in women aged 15 to 44, and 2.3 per cent due to parity.
“Certain protective practices can help prevent the risk of cervical cancer. Sexual hygiene remains a very important factor in preventing cervical cancer. Women need to be educated about the risk of cervical cancer due to multiple sexual partners and early initiation of sexual activity, which can be prevented to prevent cervical cancer,” said senior gynaecologist Dr Mala Raj.
Cervical screening programmes or widespread good quality cytology can reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality. The most frequent method for cervical cancer screening is cytology, and there are alternative methods such as HPV DNA tests and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).
The use of HPV vaccination effectively reduces the risk of cervical cancer by 70 percent and can be given to anybody between the age group of 9 to 25. “The symptoms of cervical cancer appear at a later stage compared to when the vaccination can be effective. As it is an individual's decision to screen for cervical cancer, it is usually neglected and diagnosed only at a later stage. Therefore, HPV vaccination should be necessarily be given for a reduced risk of cervical cancer,” said renowned oncologist, Dr Anitha Ramesh.
- Cervical cancer is the most common female cancer in women aged 5 to 44 years in India.
- Cervical cancer accounts for 17 percent of all cancer deaths among women aged between 30 and 69 years.
- Cervical cancer occurs early and strikes at the productive period of a woman's life and it is estimated that more than 80 percent of the sexually active women acquire genital HPV by 50 years of age.
- HPV vaccine is effective against cervical cancer by 70 percent and can be given to anyone between 9 to 25 years of age.
- Cervical cancer is curable in an early stage of 1, 2 and 3
Vaccine most effective against HPV
Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer and HPV vaccine is the most effective preventable method against it. HPV types 16 and 18 cause 69.7 percent and 13.5 percent of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine can help prevent it. With only 5 percent of men using condoms, condoms do not confer a protection against HPV infection, therefore, vaccination is the best method to prevent cervical cancer.
New cancer therapies
The sixth international clinical practice guidelines in oncology on evolving clinical practices in oncology were discussed at the ‘Clinical Cancer Advances 2017’ recently. Advancements in oncology including immunotherapy, proton beam therapy and robotic surgeries were seen as major developments in the field this year.
“Cancer is a heterogeneous disease with no single treatment that is successful across all cancer types. Every day gives new hope for cancer patients because of newer science techniques and drugs. A newer approach to cancer with immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology and it can be used against all cancers like Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab and Alemtuzumab. Improved survival rates are expected in case of breast cancer with targeted therapies such as Pertuzumab and TDM 1,” said Dr Anitha Ramesh, professor of medical oncology.
Oncologists say that robotic technology that magnifies the vision several times and provides a 3-D view of the surgical area has evolved with sophisticated instruments The small, precise movements that are possible with robotic surgery offer huge advantages over standard surgical techniques. Medicos said that newer drugs have helped to extend the survival to 36 months even in a last stage patient of colon cancer and proton beam therapy has boosted radiation oncology.
