'Made in India' Cervical Cancer vaccine ready: Know the root causes and risks of the disease

Different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause most cervical cancers. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Serum Institute of India (SII) is launching our country's first quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). The locally made vaccine will fight cervical cancer.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), India has the fifth largest cases of cervical cancer in the world. Around 67,000 women die of cervical cancer, and around 1,23 cases are diagnosed yearly. According to government analysis, the antibodies against HPV prevent 6, 11, 16 18 strains.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer happens when healthy cervix cells go through DNA changes. DNA contains the information to form a cell. Healthy cells proliferate and develop at a particular rate before they die during a specific time. Mutations instruct the cells to replicate and grow erratically while still alive. Many abnormal cells develop as the tumor accumulates.

Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and infect tissues in the area. HPV plays a part in cancer, although cervical cancer's exact origin is unknown. The majority of people who are HPV-positive do not get cancer.

Factors affecting the Cancer

• Sexual partners: The number of sexual partners you and your partner have affects your chances of contracting HPV.
• Younger age sexual activity affects the chances of contracting HPV.
• Smoking causes an increase in the chances of contracting HPV.
• A compromised immune system increases the chances of contracting HPV.
• Pre-existing UTIs increase the chances of contracting HPV.

FAQs

Q. Does the number of sexual partners affect HPV contraction?
A. The number of sexual partners you and your partner have affects your chances of contracting HPV.

Q. Does smoking cause cervical cancer?
A. Smoking may increase the chances of contracting HPV.