Cervical Cancer: Identify Early, Prevent the Silent Killer

• Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, often shows no early symptoms, making timely Pap smear and HPV testing crucial for prevention.
• Symptoms like abnormal bleeding (after sex, between periods, or post-menopause), changes in period cycle, and unusual discharge indicate advanced stages.
• Lifestyle factors like smoking increase HPV infection risk; vaccination is recommended for girls (9-15), women (up to 26), and even boys to prevent virus transmission.
• India registered 1,27,000 new cases in 2022, with a woman dying every 7-8 minutes, yet only 2% of women get tested on time, compared to 70% in America.
• Early detection through regular screenings and vaccination are key to combating this serious disease, which often remains dormant for years.

Why It Matters: Early detection via regular screening and HPV vaccination are vital to combat cervical cancer.