Every year, more than 1.2 lakh new cases of cervical cancer are reported in women in India. It is the third most common cancer in women. Every year about 70 to 75 thousand women die from this disease, which is about one third of the deaths due to cervical cancer worldwide.
This cancer can be prevented in time, but the most dangerous thing is that its initial symptoms are often not visible. For this reason, there is a delay in its identification and prevention. In this article, we are telling about such signs and reasons, with the help of which we can be alert in time.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer that occurs in the lower part of a woman’s uterus, i.e. the cervix. The cervix is the part that connects the uterus to the vagina.
When the cells in this part start growing abnormally and the body has no control over them, it is called cervical cancer. Its biggest cause is considered to be human papillomavirus i.e. HPV infection, although there are some other reasons behind it too.
HPV infection is the biggest cause
Human papillomavirus i.e. HPV infection is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. This virus spreads through sexual relations. HPV is considered responsible for about 80 percent of cervical cancer cases.
There are many types of HPV, but type 16 and type 18 are considered the most dangerous, because they can cause cancer in the future.
HPV infection is common, but when does the risk increase?
It is important to know that HPV is not a rare virus. Most women are infected with HPV at some point in their lives. The good thing is that in most cases the body’s immunity itself eliminates this virus.
The problem occurs when this virus persists in the body for a long time. In such cases the risk of cervical cancer increases.
Why does having more sexual partners increase the risk?
If a woman has more sexual partners, the risk of cervical cancer increases. This is because it increases the chances of contracting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The virus spreads easily from one person to another due to unsafe sex and frequent change of partners. HPV is one such virus, which can cause cancer if it remains in the body for a long time.
Smoking also increases the risk
Smoking is often linked only to lung cancer, but its effects are not limited to this only. The poisonous chemicals present in cigarettes weaken the body’s immunity.
When immunity is weak, the body is unable to eliminate viruses like HPV. In such a situation, the risk of cervical cancer starts increasing gradually.
Repeated pregnancies also a risk factor
If a woman has had multiple pregnancies, her risk of cervical cancer may increase. This risk is especially seen in those women who have conceived at a young age.
long-term use of birth control pills
Some research suggests that women who take birth control pills for five years or more may have a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer. The hormones present in these pills affect the hormonal balance of the body, which can affect the cells of the neck of the uterus i.e. cervix.
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