Question

knowledge assessment regarding cervix cancer in women

Answer 1

Cervical cancer is a disease of public health concern world -wide.cervical cancer is atyoe of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix that is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.cervical cancer has claimed the lives of many women world wide and it is estimated that about 80% or more of the world burden of cervical cancer is in the developing countries.availability of prophylactic vaccine as well as screening programmes lead to decline in death rate from cervical cancer.when exposed to HPV a women's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm.this preventable cancer has a long precancerous stage,however,the virus survives for years contributing to the process that causes some cells on the surface of the cervix to become cancer cells and during this interval,screening could be done,and any precancerous lesions identified could be adequately treated to prevent progression to the invasive cancer stage.

In India , it is one the leading causes of mortality among women accounting for 23.3% of all cancer deaths. India accounts for about 20% of cervical cancer cases reported from the world.more than three- fourth of these patients are diagnosed in advanced stages leading to poor prospects of long term survival and cure. Early detection of cervical cancer is possible with pap smear tests.the proportion of women who undergo pap smear testing ranges from 68% to 84% in developed countries as compared to India where the rates range from 2.6% to 6.9% among women in communities.it has been found that in many developed countries the annul incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer has decreased by 50% to 70% after introduction of population based screening.so if women in India undergo screening for cervical cancer,it is possible to detect the cancer in early stages there by reducing mortality and morbidity.screening would be broadly influenced by:

* Knowledge about cervical cancer, its screening among women.

* Role of health Care providers who come in contact with women in hospitals and the sources of information

* facilities available and the awareness of facilities .