A research study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia recently uncovered a noticeable variation in the survival rates of cervical cancer patients across different regions in India.
Findings of the Study: Uneven Survival Rates Across India
The research indicates that approximately 52% of cervical cancer cases diagnosed between 2012 and 2015 survived. However, the survival rates varied greatly among different regions. Ahmedabad’s urban registry showed the highest survival rate at 61.5%, followed by Thiruvananthapuram at 58.8%, and Kollam at 56.1%. On the other end of the spectrum, Tripura reported a survival rate of only 31.6%.
Contributing factors for these disparities were identified as access to diagnostic services, effective treatments, distance from clinical care facilities, travel costs, co-morbidities, and poverty levels.
Understanding Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix and is primarily caused by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), transmitted through sexual contact. Two HPV types (16 and 18) cause approximately 50% of high-grade cervical pre-cancers. Despite being the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, it is more prevalent in low- to middle-income countries with around 90% of new cases and deaths in 2020 occurring there. Comprehensive control includes prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care.
Challenges in Cancer Treatment
Cancer presents significant challenges due to its heterogeneity, late diagnosis, toxicity of traditional treatments, development of resistance to treatments, high cost, and limited accessibility, especially in low-income regions. Furthermore, social factors like cultural stigmatization and fear can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Measures to Reduce Regional Disparities
To mitigate these disparities, there are several strategies to consider. These include public awareness campaigns, promoting preventive measures, enhancing primary healthcare, utilizing telemedicine, implementing government initiatives, subsidizing treatment, investing in research and development, and engaging local communities.
Government Initiatives in Cancer Treatment
Several government initiatives are already in place to tackle the cancer epidemic. These include the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke, the National Cancer Grid, National Cancer Awareness Day, and the introduction of the HPV Vaccine.
Previous Year UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
A previous year question from the UPSC civil services examination asked about the Taxus tree’s natural habitat, whether it features in the Red Data Book, and the effectiveness of a drug called “taxol”, derived from the Taxus tree, against Parkinson’s disease. The correct answer was that the Taxus tree naturally grows in the Himalayas and is listed in the Red Data Book. However, it does not provide a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
This article emphasizes the importance of understanding regional disparities and the need for comprehensive policies and measures to address them effectively. While great strides have been made, there is still much work to be done.
