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Major contributing factor for increasing mortality & morbidity in women is Genital Tract Cancers.
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Commonly seen Cancers in women are Cancer Cervix, Breast Cancer, Endometrial Cancer & Ovarian Cancer.
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Other rarely seen gynaecological malignancies are cancers of vulva, vagina, fallopian tubes.
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In Cancer Prevention Clinic, primary prevention of Cancers is done by giving advice regarding Life style modifications including diet, exercise, safe sex & avoidance of carcinogenics like tobacco in any form.
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Advice & administration of “HPV Vaccination” is done in adolescent girls & women upto age of 45 for primary prevention of HPV related diseses like “Genital Wards”& “Cervical Cancer”.
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Secondary Prevention of Cancersis done by certain screening test which would detect the disease at the earliest or even in the pre-cancerous stage.
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If treatment is given in this stage of disease frank malignancies would be prevented & women can have better quality of life.
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Cervical Cancer is commonest cancer & commenest cause of cancer death in women in our country.
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Different screening test for cervical cancer like Pap Smear, VIA, HPV DNA Testing are carried out.
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Pap Smear :- This test is recommended in all sexually active women above the age of 21 years is done every 3 years upto age of 65 years.
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VIA :- Application of 5% acetic acid to cervix is done to detect any abnormal areas.If they are present needs for further evaluation.
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HPV DNA Testing :- Cervical Cancer is caused by persistent infection of cervix with high risk HPV (Human Pappiloma Virus) infection. This test is done above the age of 30 years every 5 yearly.
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All these tests are not painful, does not require anaesthesia & are carried out in healthy women without any complaint.
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Females with abnormal screening test, those women with complaints of Persistent White Discharge or irregular bleeding per vaginum & those having unhealthy cervix are subjected for Colposcopyexamination.
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By colposcopy we get magnified view of the cervix where abnormal areas with suspicion of pre-cancerous or cancerous lesion are detected & biopsy is taken.
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Colposcopy examination helps in proper evaluation of cervix, vulva & vagina.
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For early detection of Breast Cancer, Breast examination & Mammography is advised.
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Techniques of self Breast examination is taught to woman attending Cancer Prevention Clinic so that they themselves can notice any lump in breast at the earliest.
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For early detection of Uterine & Ovarian Cancers TVS (Trans Vaginal Sonography) of Pelvis is done at the age of 40 & above to see for evidence of increased endometrial thickness & presence of ovarian cyst or tumor.
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Women with thickened endometrium & evidence of ovarian mass on sonography require further diagnostic evaluation.
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Treatment of Precancerouslesions of cervix is done by “Cryo Therapy” & LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure) to hault the progression of disease so that development of Frank malignancy is prevented.