Cervical Cancer on the Rise in India

Cervical cancer cases in India

As far as gynecological cancers are concerned, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women across the world. More than six lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than three lakh fifty thousand die.

India records one in five cervical cancer cases. A study published in Lancet – a renowned medical journal, globally around 40% of deaths occur due to cervical cancer – 23 percent deaths are from India – whereas 17 percent from China. Cervical cancer causes higher rates of mortality in women.

 

What causes cervical cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. It is the major cause of cervical cancer in women across the globe. It spreads through unprotected sex, poor genital health, and involvement in sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners. The risk increases in women who are in relationships with multiple partners. Not all strains of HPV are cancerous. There are two very common types (HPV-16 and HPV-18 that cause cancer.

 

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