A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has revealed that there is a significant regional disparity in the survival rates of cervical cancer patients across India.
Key Findings Of the Study
Survival rate
- About 52% of cervical cancer cases diagnosed between 2012 and 2015 survived.
Variations Across Regions
- Among those that participated in the study, the Ahmedabad urban registry demonstrated the highest survival rate at 61.5%, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 58.8% and Kollam at 56.1%. In contrast, Tripura reported a survival rate of 31.6%.
Factors Contributing to Regional Disparities
- The study noted that factors such as access to diagnostic services, effective treatment, distance from clinical care facilities, travel costs, co-morbidities, and poverty contributed to survival rates.
Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
- Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
- Two HPV types (16 and 18) are responsible for nearly 50% of high grade cervical pre-cancers.
- Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. About 90% of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
- Comprehensive cervical cancer control includes primary prevention (vaccination against HPV), secondary prevention (screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions), tertiary prevention (diagnosis and treatment of invasive cervical cancer) and palliative care.
Some of the Challenges Faced by Healthcare Providers in Curing Cancer
- Heterogeneity of Cancer: Cancer is not a single disease but a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled division and growth of abnormal cells. The heterogeneity of cancer makes it challenging to find a universal cure, as each type may require a different approach.
- Late Diagnosis: Many cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, reducing the chances of a complete cure. Early detection methods and public awareness are crucial but often lacking in many regions.
- Treatment Toxicity: Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can have severe side effects, affecting a patient’s quality of life. Developing targeted therapies with fewer side effects is a challenge.
- Resistance to Treatment: Some cancers develop resistance to treatment over time, making it harder to cure. Developing strategies to overcome resistance is a key challenge.
- Cost of Treatment: Cancer treatment can be prohibitively expensive, and not all patients can afford it. The high cost of cancer drugs and therapies is a significant barrier to curing cancer.
- Lack of Access to Care: In many regions, especially in low-income countries, there is a lack of access to cancer care facilities and specialists. This contributes to regional disparities in cancer outcomes.
- Apart from this, lack of awareness among patients about their rights and obligations under the law and schemes and inadequate training and capacity building for healthcare providers aggravate the issue.
- Limited Availability of Specialized Care: Specialized cancer care centers, equipped with the latest technology and skilled healthcare professionals, are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and remote areas underserved.
- Stigmatization and Fear: Cultural and social stigmatization can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, as patients may avoid seeking help due to fear, shame, or misinformation.