Girls ill-informed about cervical and breast cancer: Survey

PUNE: Despite being the most common cancers amongst women, Indian youngsters are still predominently unaware or ill-informed about cervical and breast cancer. 

In a recent survey it was found that almost 60 pc college students from Mumbai and Delhi were unaware of cervical cancer and over 50 per cent didn’t know of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which majorly causes the disease.  Similarly, 74 pc of participants had no idea about ‘Self Breast Examination,’ to detect early signs of breast cancer.

The survey was conducted by Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai and BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi.  The survey was conducted to mark the World Cancer Day which is celebrated world wide on February 4. The survey highlights the need to create awareness about detection and preventive measures among Indian youths to march towards the goal of cancer elimination. About 375 Students, between the age group of 18 to 21 years participated in the survey conducted at Dahanukar College and Sathye Colleges. In Delhi, 220 youngsters 16-24 years old participated from various colleges and surrounding areas of BLK Hospital responded through an online questionnaire.

Discussing the survey report, Dr Sanjay Dudhat, Head of Oncosurgery at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital said the survey will help Oncologists, decision makers and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)..

“We always say prevention is better than cure and this is true for cancer. Now since we know efforts to intensify knowledge about HPV, its means of transmission and vaccination, pap smear test, self breast examination (SBE) and clinical breast examination (CBE) are necessary, we will focus on these areas while dealing with society at large,” said Dr Dudhat.

Dr Surender Dabas, Director - Surgical Oncology and Chief of Robotic Surgery, BLK Cancer Centre, citing the data, requested the need to create awareness about advantages of early diagnosis. 

“Lack of awareness often delays the diagnosis and as a result, about 50 per cent cancer patients discover their ailments only in the 3rd or 4th stage, which severely restricts their survival chances. Due to the rising incidence, youngsters in our country need to be made aware of advanced facilities for early diagnosis, treatment and care,” said Dr Dabas.

Situation in Pune
Dr Swati Gaikwad, Gynecologist, Obstetrician at city-based Motherhood Hospital said that in Pune the awareness about primary vaccination of all girls in the age group of 9 to 11 years is still very low.

“Vaccination can be given to women between the age of 9 to 45 years. Regarding screening by pap smear, liquid-based cytology, HPV DNA genotype the awareness is even lesser. Only a few working women do regular screening as a part of annual health assessment but the rest just go on postponing and skip the testing. There is a need for more rigorous awareness about vaccinations in girls and all sexually active women,” said Dr Gaikwad. She further added that the hospitals get more and more new patients with cancer every year. 

Survey results

• Almost 65% of those who participated in the survey from Mumbai were women. 
• In Delhi, the men (69%) responded more enthusiastically than women (31%).
• 58 per cent women in Mumbai and 60 per cent in Delhi said they are not aware about cervical cancer.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which as per World Health Organisation (WHO) causes 70 pc of cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cervical lesions had failed to grab the attention of 58 per cent of students in Mumbai and 71 per cent in Delhi.