Rising rates of gynecological cancer: Why India needs education beyond medicine

Rising rates of gynecological cancer: Globally, the prevalence of gynecological cancer is increasing. According to GLOBOCAN 2022, around 7 lakh new instances of cancer in women were recorded in India. Gynecological malignancies accounted for almost 2 lakh of these cases. The cervix, ovary, and uterus are the three female genital organs from which three of the top five malignancies in women develop. India’s cancer care ecosystem for gynecological malignancies is very small, despite the growing burden.

The problem is not just medical, but also social, according to Dr. Srinivas K. G., Consultant Medical Oncologist and Hemato Oncologist at Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Mysuru. Numerous belief systems on health and sickness are part of Indian culture. Like menstruation, the subject of reproductive health has historically been taboo, and women still find it challenging to talk about it due to societal and cultural constraints.

In many regions of the nation, menstruation is still seen as unclean. Lack of awareness of the whole spectrum of menopausal symptoms, stigma, shame, and the notion that it is a natural aspect of aging are some of the obstacles to getting treatment. Research from several regions of India has shown that after menopause, women are unlikely to contact a gynecologist. Endometrial cancer has a generally favorable prognosis with improved survival rates if detected early. Women should be aware of the symptoms of endometrial cancer, which include atypical pelvic discomfort, spotting after menopause, and irregular vaginal bleeding.

There have historically been few alternatives for advanced cancer treatment. Platinum doublet chemotherapy is now the gold standard for treating advanced endometrial cancer. Overall, there are relatively few alternatives for second-line therapy. For patients who exhibit disease progression with first-line therapy, there is no ideal course of treatment. The state of therapy is encouragingly changing. Immunotherapy and other precision-led and biomarker-directed treatments are showing promise as viable substitutes that improve survival and quality of life. Women’s results may be changed by early diagnosis and the availability of appropriate testing, which make it feasible to employ these more recent, focused therapies as efficiently as possible.

India needs a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond medicine to lessen the incidence of gynecological cancer. It calls for a change in mindset so that women can identify symptoms and get treatment when they need it. Better access to cutting-edge treatments, increased involvement in screening and early detection initiatives, and the deconstruction of cultural taboos that stifle discussions about reproductive health are also necessary. Building robust social and psychological support networks that enable women to deal with their diagnoses without embarrassment or fear is equally crucial.

In India, the battle against gynecological malignancies is a social and medical issue. To address both and contribute to lowering the prevalence of sickness across the nation, India must take decisive action.