Epidemiological study of cervical cancer in the coastal region of Visakhapatnam

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the major public health problems for women in India according to the population-based study. It can be reduced through health education, screening and thereafter treatment of pre-cancers. However, over 80% of women with cervical cancer live in developing countries. In the majority of situations, most women do not have any access to awareness, screening and treatment programmes. Methods: This is a study based on the knowledge of women regarding symptoms, risk factors, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 200 women from both urban and rural areas of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Results: No significant differences were noted between rural and urban women in their knowledge of cervical cancer was noticed. Of the subjects studied, 41.4% were aware of cervical cancer as a type of cancer affecting women, only 10% of the population know the screening of cervical cancer. Conclusions: The outcome of the results suggest the need for designing a strategy involving government action, conducting awareness, and screening programmes to minimise the occurrence of cervical cancer in this region.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• epidemiology
• human papillomavirus
• prevention
• screening