Cervical Cancer Awareness: Empowering Women Through Early Detection and Prevention

On 13 January 2026, the Rural Health Training Centre of the Department of Community Medicine, PES University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (PESU‑IMSR), organized a meaningful Cervical Cancer Awareness Programme at PHC Lakkur. This community initiative focused on educating women about cervical cancer—one of the most preventable yet widespread cancers affecting women worldwide.

Understanding Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, most commonly due to persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Despite being highly preventable through screening and vaccination, many women still lack awareness of the risks and early signs.

Key Risk Factors Discussed
Healthcare professionals from PESU‑IMSR highlighted several important risk factors:

• Early marriage and early onset of sexual activity
• Multiple pregnancies
• Poor genital hygiene
• Persistent HPV infection
• Lack of routine health screening

Understanding these risk factors forms the foundation for better preventive behavior.

Recognizing Symptoms Early
The programme educated participants about the common symptoms associated with cervical cancer, such as:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Foul‑smelling vaginal discharge
• Pain during intercourse
• Pelvic pain

Since early cervical cancer may show no symptoms, women were encouraged to maintain routine check-ups.

The Importance of Early Screening
Experts from PESU‑IMSR emphasized that early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes. Information was provided on essential screening tests:

• Pap smear test
• HPV DNA test

Women were reminded that regular screening is necessary even without symptoms, as many precancerous changes can be detected early and treated effectively.

HPV Vaccination: A Vital Preventive Measure
The session also focused on the HPV vaccine, explaining its role in preventing infection from high‑risk HPV strains. Key points included:

• The vaccine is most effective before sexual debut
• It is safe and recommended for girls and young women
• Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer

Strengthening Health Awareness in the Community
The awareness programme saw enthusiastic participation from women attending the PHC. Through interactive discussions and counseling, the initiative—supported by PESU‑IMSR—successfully promoted:

• Regular health check‑ups
• Awareness of symptoms and risk factors
• Utilization of preventive measures like vaccination and screening

This effort reflects PESU‑IMSR’s commitment to community health promotion and aligns with broader public health goals aimed at reducing cervical cancer incidence.

Final Thoughts
Cervical cancer is largely preventable, especially when communities are empowered with the right knowledge. Initiatives like this by PESU‑IMSR highlight the power of awareness, early detection, and preventive healthcare in safeguarding women’s health.