Vaccination
can prevent cervical cancer
The Clinical Society of Dr
B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, in collaboration with Association of
Gynaecologic Oncologists of India organised a two-day national seminar in
Gynaecologic Oncology here last week. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr JK
Singh, president of the Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India, said
a statement.
In his inaugural address,
Dr Singh highlighted on high prevalence of cervical cancer in India. He stated
that 12,000 tele-radiotherapy machines are needed in India as per World Health
Organisation (WHO) recommendation. “Unfortunately, India has at present only
500 teletherapy machines. This has resulted in delay in initiation of
treatment,” he said.
Prof Neerja Bhatla from
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in her speech as
guest of honour emphasized on human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination of young
girls in the age group of 9-14 for prevention of cervical cancer.
Dr Amal Chandra Kataki,
Director of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, delivered a talk on ‘Pattern of care
and survival studies on cervical cancer’. The outcome of 17 centres participating
in the study was presented.
Kataki stated that many patients
who complete treatment do not come for regular follow-up. “Most of the patients
come for treatment in the advanced stage of the disease,” he said.
The seminar focused on the
fact that cervical cancer is one of the commonest gynaecological cancer in the
female. About 5,00,000 cervical cancer patients are detected in the world every
year and India contributes to about 1,25,000 new cervical cancer cases.
The incidence of this
cancer as per National Cancer Registry Programme is highest in Aizawl district
of Mizoram.
Cervical cancer can be
largely prevented or detected at an early stage through public education and
screening procedure.
It is caused by human
papilloma virus (HPV) and HPV vaccines can prevent it in about 80 per cent of
cases.
Early marriage and
childbirth, repeated childbirth, poor genital hygiene on the part of male and
female, multiple sexual partners are important risk factors for cervical
cancer.
The seminar participants
said that unfortunately due to ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and myths
associated with cancer, it is detected at a fairly advanced stage.
Cytology screening (PAP
test) is gold standard for early detection of cervical cancer. Cancer of ovary
is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancer in the world.
The incidence of cancer of
the ovary is highest in urban Kamrup district.
Dr SP Somashekher from
Manipal spoke on emerging application on robotic surgery in gynaecological
malignancy.
Dr Umesh Mahanshetty from
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and Dr Richa Chauhan from Patna spoke on new
advances in the application of radiotherapy in the management of cervical
cancer.
Dr Yogesh V Kulkarni from
Mumbai and Dr Uma K Devi from Bengaluru spoke on endometrial cancer and vulval
cancer respectively.
Dr Partha Sarathi Basu
from Kolkata said that unfortunately there is no organised cervical cancer
screening programme in India.
While HPV vaccine is
highly effective in preventing cervical cancer to the extent of 70 per cent it
has not been included in the National Immunization Programme in our country, he
said.
Dr Debabrata Barmon and Dr
Chidananda Bhuyan from Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute also spoke on various
aspects of management of gynaecological cancer.
In the scientific session
for young gynaecologic oncologists, Dr Upasana Baruah and Dr Bidhan Roy from Dr
B Borooah Cancer Institute presented their clinical work. The National Seminar
was intended to provide opportunity to gynaecologists of Assam and North
Eastern Region to update their knowledge in recent developments in the management
of gynaecologic oncology.
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