Take Control of Your Health: Cervical Cancer Can Be Prevented – Here’s How

With highly advanced screening methods and the promising option of vaccination, Cervical cancer is one of the very few cancers that are now preventable. Yet, it is not uncommon to find a regrettable reluctance to engage in discussions on this topic. This reluctance is triggered by unfortunate inhibitions that must be overcome and replaced by informed decisions dictated by the numerous options available in the modern context, to pre-empt and defeat this disease with the aid of regular screening and early intervention.

The cervix is a small part of the female body reproductive organ, tucked away and easy to forget — until it starts causing trouble. Cervical cancer often begins quietly, with slow changes in the cells of the cervix. Over a period, with nonspecific complaints, making it easy to overlook. This unobtrusive element is what makes regular screening so pertinent

Screening is the simplest defence against a condition that does not announce itself early. A routine Pap smear or HPV DNA test can detect abnormal cells long before symptoms appear. It’s a simple painless outpatient procedure which can be effectively utilized in a resource crunch nation like ours (India)

This preventive approach will lead us to HPV detection — the virus that’s almost always behind cervical cancer. It’s more widespread than most people realise, and spreads through skin-to-skin contact, as for example, in sexual activity. Most of the time, the body clears it out of the system through natural defence mechanism. But in some cases, it remains in the system and causes changes in the cervix that may eventually turn cancerous. The HPV vaccine becomes an extremely relevant option in this context. A simple preventive shot it is most effective when administered at a younger age, ideally before the woman becomes sexually active. Even for older women, the vaccine offers valuable protection. However, vaccination should not be considered a substitute for regular screening. While the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer, it does not offer complete protection against all cancer-causing strains. Screening remains essential, as it allows for the early detection of any abnormal changes, even in those who have been vaccinated. Ideally, regular screening and the HPV vaccine should be employed in conjunction, to ensure comprehensive protection.

Some women do experience symptoms when even early changes begin — bleeding between periods, or after sex, or unusual discharge. These are not observations to be embarrassed about or to ignore. When your intuition suggests that something is amiss in your body. It’s always best to check and be told it’s nothing, rather than to ignore a warning sign and discover too late that your body has been attacked by disease.

Prevention doesn’t stop with tests and vaccines. Your lifestyle choices play a part too. Smoking, for example, weakens the body’s immune response and makes it harder to fight off HPV infections. A healthy immune system is your natural defence; hence, ensure that you support it with balanced nutrition, personal hygiene, and stress management. Every small habit adds up.

Conversations about reproductive health can induce embarrassment; but avoiding them doesn’t help. Your doctor’s office is a judgment-free zone. The medical fraternity is trained and committed to answer your questions, dispel your fears and guide you without pressure. If you’re unsure about when to get screened or whether the HPV vaccine is relevant for you; simply ask. Don’t allow inhibitions to keep you from getting the care you deserve.

Cervical cancer doesn’t have to be part of your story — not when we have the power to stop it before it starts. The tools are in our hands: screening, vaccination, and awareness. What’s needed is timely and appropriate action on your part.

Don’t wait for a symptom to drive you to a clinic. Start the conversation today. Speak with your doctor, understand your options, and take that first step toward protecting your health — not just for today, but for every year ahead.

If you’ve been putting off a check-up, now’s the time. If you’re not sure about your screening schedule, enquire about it. If your daughter is nearing the right age for the HPV vaccine, speak to a specialist. Prevention starts with awareness, and it continues with simple, informed actions.

By Dr Vikash Nayak, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre, Cuttack