Delayed detection main cause of death in cervical cancer, say experts

Dehradun: Late detection is the leading cause of death in cases of cervical cancer, said experts at the Government Doon Medical College and Hospital where screening for the disease is being done throughout January, marked 'cervical cancer' month.

Doctors at the hospital said that based on data from the World Health Organisation, around 5.3 lakh cases of cervical cancer among women have been detected and the mortality rate remains as high as 50 per cent with 2.75 lakh deaths being reported.

In 75 per cent of these cases, deaths happen within a year of diagnosis due to preventable delays. "The primary reason for this is late detection. Cervical cancer is one of the preventive ones. The screening equipment is not extensive. It can be tested in a basic OPD or clinic. The diagnosis is easy and so is the treatment but that can only happen if the diagnosis happens on time which is a major challenge for all state governments. In our state, some areas are remote. Lack of awareness becomes an issue because of which people don't seek treatment on a timely basis," said Dr Daulat Singh, head of oncology, Doon Hospital. He also said that screening, testing and treatment are happening at individual centres and hospitals in the state, but there is no central database and hence, the exact numbers are not available with the health department. In Uttarakhand, screening for cervical cancer remains at less than 1% with urban areas at 0.9 per cent and rural at 0.2 per cent.

Experts said that the incubation period of cervical cancer is between 2-15 years which is why timely and regular screening is very important.