<p>Mumbai: With cervical cancer claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, there is a need for women to take charge of their health by overcoming hurdles like doubts, silence and hesitation and go for regular and timely screening, experts said on Thursday. </p><p>Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, often due to late detection. Despite being highly treatable in its early stages, with 95 per cent of cases successfully managed if detected early, many women do not get screened in time, Tata Memorial Centre Deputy Director, Center for Cancer Epidemiology, Dr Gauravi Mishra told reporters at an event organised by Tata Trusts. </p><p>"Millions of women continue overlooking symptoms - either due to a significant lack of awareness about cervical cancer and its symptoms, or fear, stigma, and a culture of silence that contributes to delayed screening. These women are not just from rural area, many of them are youngsters, educated and from urban areas," she added. </p><p>This check-up needs to be undertaken despite having no symptoms at all, starting from the age of 30 and continuing at regular intervals, she added. TMC Psycho-Oncologist Dr Savita Goswami said usually women hesitate to go for check-ups due to fear of being associated with cancer. </p><p>"They don't like to go for check-ups because of the fear of having something (cancer). It could be any cancer, like breast cancer or cervical cancer. They don't want to be associated with any of the cancers," she added. </p><p>Tata Trusts' have conducted over 26,000 cervical cancer screenings across Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra in the last year in collaboration with state governments and partners uncovering insights into major emotional and societal barriers that keep women from seeking help, even when it is available.</p><p>"Cervical cancer's projected burden in India stands at 1.5 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with the highest impact among women aged 30-65 years in segments with the lowest awareness and access. The key challenges remain low awareness and inhibition - women who experience early symptoms do not connect them to cervical cancer, and those who do may delay action due to shame or fear," Tata Cancer Care Foundation Head Medical Operations Dr Rudradatta Shrotriya said.</p><p>He further stated many women are also unaware about the fact that risk can exist even without the absence of symptoms, which makes screening vital. "By raising awareness and taking steps to change the conversation around cervical cancer, we hope to foster a culture where women feel empowered to prioritize their health," he added.</p><p>In this regard, Tata Trusts' launched a public health awareness campaign, 'Khud Se Jeet,' which captures the quiet conflict, urging women to seek timely cervical cancer screening and take charge of their health.</p>
<p>Mumbai: With cervical cancer claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, there is a need for women to take charge of their health by overcoming hurdles like doubts, silence and hesitation and go for regular and timely screening, experts said on Thursday. </p><p>Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, often due to late detection. Despite being highly treatable in its early stages, with 95 per cent of cases successfully managed if detected early, many women do not get screened in time, Tata Memorial Centre Deputy Director, Center for Cancer Epidemiology, Dr Gauravi Mishra told reporters at an event organised by Tata Trusts. </p><p>"Millions of women continue overlooking symptoms - either due to a significant lack of awareness about cervical cancer and its symptoms, or fear, stigma, and a culture of silence that contributes to delayed screening. These women are not just from rural area, many of them are youngsters, educated and from urban areas," she added. </p><p>This check-up needs to be undertaken despite having no symptoms at all, starting from the age of 30 and continuing at regular intervals, she added. TMC Psycho-Oncologist Dr Savita Goswami said usually women hesitate to go for check-ups due to fear of being associated with cancer. </p><p>"They don't like to go for check-ups because of the fear of having something (cancer). It could be any cancer, like breast cancer or cervical cancer. They don't want to be associated with any of the cancers," she added. </p><p>Tata Trusts' have conducted over 26,000 cervical cancer screenings across Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra in the last year in collaboration with state governments and partners uncovering insights into major emotional and societal barriers that keep women from seeking help, even when it is available.</p><p>"Cervical cancer's projected burden in India stands at 1.5 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with the highest impact among women aged 30-65 years in segments with the lowest awareness and access. The key challenges remain low awareness and inhibition - women who experience early symptoms do not connect them to cervical cancer, and those who do may delay action due to shame or fear," Tata Cancer Care Foundation Head Medical Operations Dr Rudradatta Shrotriya said.</p><p>He further stated many women are also unaware about the fact that risk can exist even without the absence of symptoms, which makes screening vital. "By raising awareness and taking steps to change the conversation around cervical cancer, we hope to foster a culture where women feel empowered to prioritize their health," he added.</p><p>In this regard, Tata Trusts' launched a public health awareness campaign, 'Khud Se Jeet,' which captures the quiet conflict, urging women to seek timely cervical cancer screening and take charge of their health.</p>