Women’s Cancers: The Importance of Breast and Cervical Screening

Women play a central role in nurturing families, sustaining communities, and shaping society. Yet, when it comes to their own health, especially cancer prevention, women often place themselves last. Breast cancer and cervical cancer remain two of the most common and preventable cancers affecting women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India. The good news is that early detection through regular screening can save lives, reduce treatment burden, and significantly improve survival rates.

Understanding Breast and Cervical Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. It can affect women of all ages, though the risk increases with age. Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer often develops slowly, offering a valuable window for early detection and intervention.

Together, these two cancers account for a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths among women. However, when detected early, both breast and cervical cancers are highly treatable, reinforcing the importance of timely screening.

Why Screening Matters

Cancer screening refers to tests that detect cancer or pre-cancerous changes before symptoms appear. Many women seek medical help only when they experience pain or visible symptoms, by which time the disease may have advanced. Screening shifts the focus from treatment to prevention.

For breast cancer, early detection can lead to less aggressive treatment, better cosmetic outcomes, and higher survival rates. For cervical cancer, screening can identify abnormal cell changes that can be treated before they turn cancerous, making it one of the most preventable cancers known today.

Breast Cancer Screening: Saving Lives Through Early Detection

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple yet powerful tool that helps women become familiar with their breasts and notice any changes, such as lumps, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or changes in shape. While BSE does not replace medical screening, it promotes body awareness and timely reporting of abnormalities.

Clinical breast examinations (CBE) conducted by trained healthcare professionals are recommended periodically, especially for women above 30 years of age. Mammography, an X-ray of the breast, remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening and is particularly effective for women aged 40 and above. When detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer can exceed 90%, highlighting the life-saving potential of regular screening.

Cervical Cancer Screening: Preventing Cancer Before It Starts

Cervical cancer is unique in that it is almost entirely preventable. Screening methods such as the Pap smear, HPV testing, and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) can detect pre-cancerous changes long before cancer develops.

Regular Pap smears help detect abnormal cervical cells, enabling early treatment. HPV testing detects high-risk virus strains responsible for most cervical cancers. In resource-limited settings, VIA offers a cost-effective and accessible screening option.

The introduction of the HPV vaccine has further strengthened cervical cancer prevention efforts. Vaccination, combined with regular screening, can drastically reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality.

Barriers to Screening and the Need for Awareness

Despite the availability of effective screening tools, many women do not undergo regular screening due to a lack of awareness, fear, stigma, cultural barriers, and limited access to healthcare services. Myths surrounding cancer, embarrassment, and the misconception that screening is unnecessary without symptoms continue to prevent women from seeking care.

Addressing these barriers requires sustained community awareness, education, and accessible screening services. Empowering women with accurate information and creating safe, supportive healthcare environments can encourage proactive health-seeking behaviour.

Cancer Control Mission: Promoting Prevention and Early Detection

Cancer Control Mission is committed to reducing the burden of women’s cancers through awareness, screening, and early intervention. By organising community outreach programmes, screening camps, and educational initiatives, the mission aims to break myths, promote timely diagnosis, and ensure that no woman is left behind due to a lack of information or resources.

A Call to Action

Every woman deserves the chance to live a healthy, cancer-free life. Regular breast and cervical screening is not just a medical recommendation; it is an act of self-care and empowerment. Women are encouraged to speak openly about their health, undergo routine screenings, and support one another in prioritising prevention.

Early detection saves lives. Let us unite to raise awareness, promote screening, and build a future where women’s cancers are detected early, treated effectively, and prevented wherever possible.

Feel free to share this blog with friends and family – after all, the more we know, the stronger we become.