Some Quick Facts:-

Cervical Cancer is a malignant tumor, which develops from cells of Cervix, before the development of cancer; a precancerous condition is noted as Dysplasia. Cervix is the lower most part of Uterus also known as Birth Canal; it connects Vagina to Uterus

It starts as CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasm); CIS (carcinoma in-situ) before converting into invasive carcinoma, nearly 90% of Cervical Cancer cases are diagnosed in HPV infected females. Every year nearly 500,000 women get diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at different stages.

TYPES OF CERVICAL CANCER:-

1.     EXOPHYTIC: - develops on Ectocervix, squamous cell carcinoma (keratinizing & non-keratinizing)

2.     ULCERATIVE: - mostly involves fornices.

3.     INFILTERATIVE: - develops from endocervix, adenocarcinoma.

RISK FACTORS:-

·         HPV (human papilloma virus), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), chlamydia, other venereal disease.

·         Early age of first sexual intercourse.

·         Multiple sexual partners

·         Oral Contraceptive pill, long term usage.

·         Multiple pregnancy & births.

·         Low socio-economic status

·         Malnutrition

·         Addiction

·         Low personal Hygiene

·         Family History/ Heredity

SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER

·         Unusual, foul smelling discharge from the vagina

·         Irregular light bleeding or spotting in between menstrual cycle.

·         Post-menopausal bleeding.

·         Bleeding or pain during intercourse (Dyspareunia)

·         Anemia because of abnormal vaginal bleeding.

·         Pain in pelvic, lumber & sacral region.

·         Pedal edema

·         Urinary problems because of blockage of a kidney or ureter, pyelonephritis.

·         Hematuria, dysuria, urethra-vaginal fistula formation

·         Constipation, rectal pain, recto-vaginal fistula

·         Bleeding from the rectum or bladder.

·         Weight loss.

SCREENING & ASSESSMENT

a.     PAP test:  Routine screening for cervical abnormalities can detect early-stage cancer and precancerous conditions that could progress to invasive disease. The process begins with a Pap test, also known as a Pap smear.

b.     HPV DNA test

c.     CT (computerized tomography) scan

d.     MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan)

e.     Pelvic ultrasound

f.       Biopsy:- Tissue examination

PREVENTION

·         HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine: - If every female adheres to current HPV vaccination programs the total number of female deaths from cervical cancer globally will drop by hundreds of thousands each year. Prophylactic HPV vaccine is recommended for girls between 12-25 years of age.

·         Cervical screening

·         Safe sexual relation, use of barrier protection.

·         Effective treatment of SITs (sexually transmitted infection), awareness campaigning regarding SITs & their treatment.

·         Have few sexual partners

·         Delay first sexual intercourse

·         Avoidance of Addictions

·         Healthy Diet & Lifestyle maintenance, personal hygiene.

CONTRIBUTION OF AYURVEDA & TREATMENT AT D.S.RESEARCH CENTRE:-

Ayurveda emphasizes of following Pathy-Apathya along with medicine as a method of treatment, herbs such as Haridra (carcuma longa), Amalaki (embilica offincianalis), Ardrak (gingiber officinalis), Tulsi (occimum sanctum), and Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) are found to be effective in Cervical Cancer treatment helping alleviation of symptoms.

Cervical Cancer is a treatable condition when detected early, so regular screening becomes more important, prevention can be promoted as personal hygiene maintenance by following Yoni Prakshalana using herbal decoctions. D.S.Research Centre being one of the pioneer organizations for Cancer Treatment following Ancient Ayurveda based treatment for cancer, has been participating & contribution of different levels & platforms in creating more awareness against Cancer, its prevention & promoting early detection, and providing a holistic approach of treatment in term Medication, Dietary Guidelines & Lifestyle Modification.