ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF CERVICAL CANCER AND PAP SMEAR TESTING IN FEMALES UP TO 40 YEARS AGE FROM BIHAR REGION

Abstract

Cervical cancer remain leading cause of cancer in women in India, accounting for nearly 25.9 % of new cancer cases and 23.3% of all cancer-related deaths in the country. [11] In 2008 in India, the annual incidence and mortality from cervical cancer was 134,420 cases and 72,825 deaths, respectively. In view of the huge population burden and limited healthcare resources, we have to look for the various ways of cost effective preventive and treatment modalities.   Cervical cancer screening is an important tool in prevention and early treatment because of window of opportunity during the longstanding pathogenesis of the cervical cancer. [12] Cervical cancer results from a persistent infection by a high-risk subset of human papillomavirus (HPV). [13] Most women’s immune systems will eliminate HPV infection spontaneously, however, for a very small proportion of women, the infection will persist and can cause pre-cancerous changes in cells. Hence based on above findings the present study was planned for Assessment of Awareness of Cervical Cancer and PAP Smear Testing in Females up to 40 years age from Bihar Region.

The present study was planned in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Madhubani Medical College and Hospital, Madhubani, Bihar. In the present study 50 females of age up to 40 years admitted to Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department were enrolled and evaluated. After completion of the interview, the study participants were given health education regarding cervical cancer using pictorial diagrams by the researchers. At the end of the study, all the completed questionnaires were assessed and the responses of the participants were scored.

The data generated from the present study concludes that here is a need of the hour to formulate extensive awareness programmes, to educate our women regarding the early signs of the disease and promote Pap smear screening which can detect precancerous cervical lesions and also introduce HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, Pap smear, HPV Vaccination, Awareness, etc.