Cervix Cancer Awareness:

Cervix cancer is the second most common cancer in females in India.

Do you know in the year 2018 daily 11 women diagnosed to have cervix cancer in India?

We can treat cervix cancer successfully by treating at early stage.

Cervix cancer is highly preventable and curable disease.

EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CERVIX CANCER:

1. Heavier and longer menstrual cycle
   
2. Bleeding per vagina following sexual intercourse
3. Blood stained or foul smelling vaginal discharge
   
4. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
5. Postmenopausal bleeding per vagina
6. Unusual or excessive vaginal discharge

RISK FACTORS:

1. Human papilloma virus infection (HPV)
2. Engaging in sexual intercourse at an early stage
3. A women or her partner having multiple sexual partners
4. Smoker or passive smoking
5. Immunosuppression ( Due to disease or drugs)
6. Previous history of recurrent sexually transmitted disease
7. Giving birth to many children

THINGS TO AVOID GETTING CERVIX CANCER:

1. Should avoid multiple sexual partners and getting involved with partners with many sexual contacts
2. Avoid sexual intercourse at an early age
3. Encourage using condom for male partner to prevent sexually transmitted infection
4. Timely treatment of reproductive tract infections
5. Stop smoking and use of tobacco related products
6. Human papilloma virus(HPV) infection
7. Birth control methods to avoid getting multiple births

SCREENING TEST FOR CERVIX CANCER:
Out Patient Procedure and Painless Procedure

1. Pap smear test (most widely used):
   
2. HPV DNA test

WHO REQUIRES PAP TEST?

Pap smear test is done on healthy females

1. Women after five years of marriage or from first sexual intercourse.
2. After 30 years of age all women can get the pap smear test done

RIGHT TIME FOR PAP TEST:

Pap smear test should be done between 10 to 20 days from the first day of menstrual period.

WHO CAN AVOID PAP SMEAR?

1. Women less than 20 years of age.
2. Women more than 65 years of age if previous pap test for cervical cancer have been negative.
3. Women with uterus removed for noncancerous  conditions

HOW OFTEN PAP TEST TO BE DONE?

1. If Pap smear test combined with HPV DNA and both test shows negative result the pap smear can be done after five years.
2. If pap smear test normal and HPV DNA shows positive result the pap smear to be repeated after 1 year
3. If only pap smear test done and normal then it has to repeated annually for women age more than 30 years.