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Need for awareness on cervical cancer stressed

By staff reporter

GUWAHATI, April 1 � Providing better awareness about cervical cancer is the first step to protect women of Assam from the disease, which has a high incidence in the state. Such a measure can inform women about the preventive steps which can be adopted, and about the fact that its early detection can lead to cure.

This was underlined by Dr Helena van Doorn, from ErasmusMC, Rotterdam. Dr van Doorn is currently training doctors at the Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati.

During an interview at the BBCI, she said that cervical cancer is a major risk to women but can be curbed through vaccination and screening. �Both are important, and if you start with a vaccination programme, the screening part should not be overlooked,� Dr van Doorn stated.

Referring to the situation in her home country, she said that combination of vaccination and screening has helped reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Vaccination of young females from the age of 12 onward has resulted in a situation in which the incidence of cervical cancer deaths has fallen. The screening programme has also shown its positive effects.

Dr van Doorn mentioned that women should know about the symptoms of cervical cancer. They should approach the doctor in case of unexpected blood flow, or heavy and prolonged flow, or bleeding and discharge in the case of post menopausal women after menstruation has ceased for 12 months. About the high incidence of cancer in Assam, she said that people need to be informed about the causative factors. She was particularly worried about tobacco use and its evident links with oral cancer. Dr van Door hoped that people, especially young children, would be protected from the menace of tobacco consumption. Dr van Doorn expressed satisfaction with the BBCI, describing its doctors as dedicated and eager to learn, and mentioned that additional staff would be able to serve more patients in the days ahead.

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