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Know the truth: Common myths about cervical cancer explained
According to Globocon 2020, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer amongst women globally. India alone accounts for one-quarter of the global burden, with an estimated 1,23,907 new cases and 77,348 deaths Today spoke with Dr Pratima Raj, Associate Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport gain insights on the most common misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer and why awareness is key to early detection and considerable awareness campaigns and media attention on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination, the topic remains riddled with misinformation. Myths persist around screening, vaccines, and HPV itself, often preventing timely intervention. With the right information, however, cervical cancer is largely preventable and HPV ONLY AFFECTS PROMISCUOUS WOMEN
Fact: HPV can affect any sexually active woman. Even one sexual partner is enough to contract HPV. Studies reveal that over 80 percent of women will acquire HPV by age HAVING HPV MEANS YOU'LL GET CERVICAL CANCERFact: While HPV is common, most infections resolve on their own. Only persistent high-risk strains can lead to cancerous changes. Regular screening helps detect these HPV INFECTIONS HAVE SYMPTOMSFact: Most HPV infections are asymptomatic. High-risk strains often go unnoticed unless caught through Pap smears or HPV symptoms of cervical cancer (if present) include abnormal discharge, irregular or heavy bleeding, post-coital bleeding, and pelvic or abdominal SCREENING IS THE ONLY PREVENTIVE MEASUREadvertisementFact: In addition to Pap tests and HPV testing, lifestyle factors play a role. Avoiding smoking, delaying sexual activity, and limiting partners can reduce risk. Other risk factors include chlamydia or HIV infections and weakened VACCINATED WOMEN DON'T NEED PAP TESTSFact: The HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all cancer-causing strains. Even vaccinated women should continue regular Pap and HPV PAP TESTS ARE NEEDED ANNUALLYFact: Current guidelines recommend:Ages 21–29: Pap test every 3 yearsAges 30–65: Pap + HPV co-test every 5 years65 and older: screening may stop if past tests were normalMYTH: HPV CLEARS ON ITS OWNFact: While some infections resolve naturally, others persist and can lead to genital warts or monitoring is CERVICAL CANCER ENDS FERTILITYFact: Fertility-preserving treatments are now available for early-stage cases.A hysterectomy is not always CERVICAL CANCER IS HEREDITARYFact: Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, not inherited like breast or ovarian and screening remain the best ONLY WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS ARE AT RISKFact: Even one sexual encounter can expose someone to is a sexually transmitted infection, not a moral LONG GAPS IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY ELIMINATE RISKadvertisementFact: Cervical cancer can develop long after infection, regardless of recent sexual PAP TESTS DETECT OVARIAN OR UTERINE CANCERFact: Cervical screening only checks the does not detect cancers of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian HPV VACCINES ARE ONLY FOR TEENAGERSFact: The vaccine is most effective before sexual activity, but still beneficial for those already sexually ONLY WOMEN SHOULD WORRY ABOUT HPVFact: All genders are vulnerable to is recommended for ages 9– CONDOMS FULLY PREVENT HPVFact: Condoms reduce but don't eliminate the risk due to skin-to-skin CERVICAL CANCER IS ALWAYS FATALFact: When detected early, treatment is highly effective, and survival rates are OLDER WOMEN ARE NOT AT RISK OF HPVFact: HPV can affect anyone, regardless of THERE'S NO CURE FOR CERVICAL CANCERSurgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can be curative, especially in early stages. Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is largely preventable and highly treatable when detected vaccination, regular screening, and healthy lifestyle choices, women (and all who are at risk) can dramatically reduce their chances of developing this disease. Armed with facts rather than fears, every woman can take charge of her reproductive health and help ensure that cervical cancer becomes a chapter of the past, not the Reel
