Blogs

Cervical cancer continues to take a heavy toll on women in India.

As an oncologist, I’ve seen how devastating the impact of cervical cancer is on women and their families, despite it being one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. This is especially true for women living in rural areas.

The primary reason behind this unfortunate trend is a lack of accessible healthcare, especially in rural regions where the necessary screening and treatment facilities are often limited.

The present state of cervical cancer treatment in rural India

India has made significant progress in cancer awareness and treatment, but rural areas remain severely underserved. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, with a higher prevalence in rural areas. The reasons for this disparity are numerous:

• Limited Healthcare Infrastructure: Many rural areas lack well-equipped healthcare facilities to screen and treat cervical cancer, resulting in delayed diagnoses and more advanced cases by the time treatment is sought.
• Lack of Awareness: There is often little knowledge about cervical cancer, its symptoms, or the importance of early detection through Pap Smears and HPV testing.
• Cultural Barriers: Many women in rural communities are hesitant to seek healthcare due to cultural taboos surrounding reproductive health and a general lack of trust in medical services.
• Economic Constraints: For many rural families, healthcare is often an unaffordable luxury. This results in women not seeking out treatment until it is too late.

As an oncologist, I can’t emphasize enough how early detection can drastically improve outcomes for cervical cancer. When detected in the early stages, the survival rate is significantly higher, almost 90%. However, without access to treatment facilities and proper awareness, many women in rural India face challenges that prevent them from seeking timely care.

Possible Solutions for the Adversity

1. Expanding screening and diagnostic facilities

We understand that early detection is key to improving the survival rates of cervical cancer patients. By expanding access to these screening services, we ensure that cervical cancer is diagnosed in its early stages when it is most treatable.

2. Providing affordable treatment options

Cancer treatment can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those in rural areas with lower or limited income. Improving standard and affordable healthcare facilities and supplies of required medications in rural areas by both government and private players is the key. By ensuring that cost is not a barrier to treatment, we can enable more women to access the care they need, regardless of their economic and geographical background.

3. Raising awareness and overcoming cultural barriers

We must recognize the importance of addressing cultural and societal barriers that prevent women from screening for cervical cancer or any other cancer for that matter. Healthcare actors should conduct focused outreach programs on educating communities about the importance of cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment; and make screening modalities available free of charge or at discounted costs. By empowering women with knowledge and combating myths and taboos, we can help shift societal attitudes and encourage more women to seek the care they need.

4. Integrating palliative and supportive care

In many cases, cervical cancer is diagnosed too late for curative treatment, such patients need care with palliative intent. Building such palliative treatment facilities will ensure that patients in advanced stages receive pain management, counselling, and other forms of support. A holistic approach will not only address the medical needs of patients but also provides emotional and psychological support to help them navigate their journey.

5. Prevention of Cervical Cancer

The preventive vaccines for cervical cancer are available. Making these vaccines available under immunization program for girls aged 9-12, especially in rural geographies will help reduce incidences of cervical cancer.

To conclude, we will need efforts beyond obvious to improve the present state of affairs in rural India. Synergy between government agencies, policy makers, social activists, private players will be crucial.

Dr. Ritu Dave
DNB DNB ECMO
Consultant Cancer Physician
MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre
Shivaji Nagar, Pune.