According to the World Health Organization, the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally, is cervical cancer. As of 2020, an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths have been recorded as per WHO. Although cervical cancer is known to occur in women across all the age groups, the disease is on the rise for women aged between 30 to 49. Especially for women in the 30 to 39 age group, cervical cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. With that being said, let’s learn more about cervical cancer in young women, how common it is, its risk factors and preventative measures.
Cervical cancer in young women under 30 is relatively rare, however they do occur. The way to effectively treat cervical cancer is to get it diagnosed and receive proper treatment to cure it in its early stages.
Therefore, it’s time we start addressing cervical cancer in women under 30 to help all young adults take precautionary measures to help them treat it before the disease gets to advanced stages. Most of the cervical cancer cases were found to be linked with recurring infections of human papillomavirus(HPV).
The cervical cancer risks in young adults can only be reduced if the immune system can clear the HPV infection, however, if the infections still occur persistently, then over time, it could lead to the development of cervical cancer. Knowing and being aware of the risk factors and symptoms can help women of all ages detect cervical cancer early, especially early detection in young women to take prevention measures and get treated effectively.
If you have a weakened immune system due to certain medications or pre-existing conditions, you may be relatively more susceptible to developing cervical cancer. This is because a healthy immune system helps clear HPV infection on its own. However, persistent HPV infections can lead to the development of cervical cancer in women over time. Therefore, regular health checkups are necessary to rule out any preexisting autoimmune conditions to maintain a healthy immune system and avoid the development of cervical cancer.
HPV infections can occur once or a few times only to be resolved on their own or it could occur persistently. If high-risk type HPV infections like HPV 16 and HPV 18 are occurring persistently, then it's time to check with your healthcare provider immediately. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are known to increase the risk of cervical cancer in women, and getting it detected early can help you get effectively treated.
Patterns in your sex life are related to either an increase or decrease in the risk of cervical cancer. Having multiple partners and early onset of sexual activities can increase the risk of HPV exposure. Especially, exposure to high-risk HPVs can significantly increase the risk of developing cervical cancer in young women.
Smoking is known to decrease the immune response to infectious diseases which means that it can render the immune system weak when tackling the HPV virus. Apart from that, smoking also increases the incidence of autoimmune conditions which also leads to weakened immune systems. Starting to smoke from an early age continuously can also impact young women’s health significantly.
Now that you know about the risk factors of cervical cancer that you need to monitor, you should also be aware of certain symptoms that are common for cervical cancer. Here are some of the most common cervical cancer symptoms that you should know about:
Regular screening can aid in early detection and therefore successful cervical cancer treatment. Various treatment options for cervical cancer are available like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The best way to take preventive measures is to assess your risk factors and determine an appropriate screening schedule by discussing it with your healthcare provider.
For women of all ages, it is necessary to maintain overall cervical health, regular screenings, checkups and adopt healthy lifestyle choices as all this contributes to your overall cervical health. As some of the preliminary guidelines, here are some preventive tips and screening guidelines for cervical cancer.
Regular screenings are required to help detect abnormalities early and diagnose the condition which can help get treated easily. Regular HPV and Pap Smear tests at an appropriate schedule recommended by the healthcare provider is the key to preventing cervical cancer and cervical cancer treatment at an early stage when chances of getting cured are relatively more.
A crucial preventive measure is to get vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine is recommended for both men and women. Ideally, you should get vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity in adolescence.
Using condoms when engaging sexually can decrease the risk of HPV exposure. Practicing safe sex can help you prevent other sexually transmitted diseases too, so make sure to practice safe sex.
Lifestyle and daily habits have a significant contribution to your cervical health. Quitting smoking can help decrease the chances of developing cervical cancer in the long term.
As you are well-acquainted with the preventive measures now, being aware of the screening guidelines can help you stay a step ahead in preventing cervical cancer. For women under 21, pap smear and HPV tests are not usually recommended.
Although the cervical cancer guidelines vary according to the country you live in and the screening age may be different based on where you live. For women in the age group 21 to 29, a pap smear test is recommended. HPV tests are recommended only in certain situations but are not usually recommended for women in this age group.
Being aware of reproductive health and making conscious preventive decisions can help in the early detection and intervention of cervical cancer. You can avail of cervical cancer screening tests in Delhi at MASSH along with the best cervical cancer treatment complete with minimally invasive surgeries and modern IV therapies.
We are proud to be working with the top cancer specialists in India and offer complete cancer care packages for our patients. Check out our website to learn more about the best cervical cancer treatment in Delhi at MASSH or visit us today to avail our world-class medical services.
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