Every year more than 11 thousand women die of cervical cancer in Bangladesh. However, if treated in the early stages, this disease can be completely cured. Let's know some facts about uterine cancer-
Cancer that occurs in the cervix of women is called uterine cancer. This cancer is extremely deadly and is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide. Cervical cancer is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 55. Older and poorer women are at the highest risk of cervical cancer.
99% of cervical cancers are caused by infection with a type of virus called human papilloma. This virus is transmitted from one person to another through sexual intercourse. The virus also increases the risk of cervical cancer for other reasons.
For example, early sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, multiple full-term pregnancies, colamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or herpes simplex virus type-2 infection, smoking, long-term use of contraceptive pills, weakened immune system.
What are the risk factors of cervical cancer?
1) Marrying young
2) Having children at a young age
3) Having sex with a person's previous wife who has this disease
4) Having sex with more than one person
5) Frequent or more children
One of the causes of cervical cancer is the use of diet pills
6) Using diet pills
7) Infection – HIV , Human papilloma, Chlamydia virus infection
These factors are helpful in preventing cancer in a woman's body. Avoiding these things properly will reduce the risk of cancer. Education is lacking among the lower classes. But those who are well educated and health conscious should be aware of these issues and the people around and even working girls should be aware. A life is a life and it is precious.
Besides, early marriage, childbearing under 18 years of age, multiple children, frequent childbearing, lack of personal hygiene, malnutrition, polygamy and human papilloma virus infection are the causes of cervical cancer in women. Due to shyness, our women refrain from talking about uterine cancer, even if they feel the symptoms, keeping it a secret from doctors and their families also spreads the disease.
Experts say that patients with this disease go to doctors for treatment after the cancer has spread throughout the body and only a small number of them can be saved. Therefore, early detection of cervical cancer is important to cure and prevent the disease. The rate of the disease is horrendous in remote areas of the country where women do not have easy access to health care and do not know about the disease.
Symptoms of uterine cancer
Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer. This cancer usually takes 10-15 years to develop. In the first stage, this cancer does not show any symptoms. Cervical cancer can cause the following symptoms.
1. Bleeding between two periods
2. Bleeding after intercourse
3. Bleeding after pelvic exam
4. Pelvic pain that is not related to the menstrual cycle
5. Heavy or abnormal discharge, the discharge may be foul-smelling
6. Frequent urination and pain during urination
Cervical cancer diagnosis method
Cervical cancer is diagnosed through a series of tests. Dysplasia is usually detected with a DNA or Pap test that may be a possible uterine cancer. The risk of HPV infection is determined by DNA testing. Cervical cancer is confirmed by biopsy of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.
What we can do to prevent cervical cancer
Vaccines are now available to prevent human papillomavirus infection. The vaccine is given in three doses every six months when girls are 10 to 12 years old. This vaccine should be given mainly before marriage or before becoming sexually active. It is also possible to prevent uterine cancer by taking the following steps.
1. Protecting unmarried women from cervical cancer through vaccination
2. Seek medical advice as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms
3. Increasing social awareness about cervical cancer
4. Men also have to play a leading role in encouraging women
5. Women between the ages of 18 and 60 should be screened once a year. However, if the report is negative twice in a row, retest after 3 or 5 years. At-risk women should be screened every 3 years.
Meanwhile, with the initiative of the Center for Cancer Prevention and Research (CCPR), various social organizations and institutions have started nationwide 'Cervical Cancer Awareness Month' from January 1. In this month-long program organized for the second time, education for the doctors, motivation for the advanced people of the society and extensive awareness activities for the common people are being conducted.
Various educational institutions, workplace discussions, informational posters, distribution of leaflets, processions called 'Janani Ayye Padayatra', cultural programs were organised. This program is being observed in different districts outside Dhaka.
