A global cervical cancer survey commissioned and funded by GSK, and undertaken by a global agency Opinion Matters has revealed that women in India are putting work and social lives before their health when it comes to cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths amongst women in India and is even more common than breast cancer. Annually, more than 72,000 women in India die due to Cervical Cancer caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of women will acquire an HPV infection and 50 per cent of those infections will be with a cancer-causing HPV type.
The study was conducted to explore women’s attitudes towards cervical cancer, specifically the barriers preventing women from acknowledging their personal risk of the disease and from taking action to help protect themselves, revealed that women in India are aware of cervical cancer and understand the importance of screening and vaccination but they are prioritising other things like their work, personal appearance and social life above their cervical health.
The survey was conducted with over 18,000 women aged 18-55 across 19 countries including; Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and Sweden. In India alone, 1,009 women were surveyed. The survey comprised of 20 closed questions and was conducted online or via telephone.
The results of the global study revealed that nearly half of Indian women (45 per cent) revealed that they worried more about putting on weight than developing cervical cancer (24 per cent).
On a twelve grids matrix surveying about their dreams and aspirations, 61.8 per cent women aspire for wealth and comfort followed by a career or occupation of choice (18.1 per cent), a happy family (10.3 per cent), good health etc. and protection from diseases (13 per cent) featured on number six.
The majority of Indian women (24 per cent) admitted that if given money to spend on themselves they would rather invest it in savings (39 per cent) or spend it on a weekend away (24 per cent).
The survey revealed that other health and lifestyle priorities could be the reason behind why Indian women are not putting their cervical health first.
According to Dr Ashwini Bhalerao Gandhi, consultant gynaecologist, Hinduja Hospital Mumbai agrees that, “Women these days are putting their health-related issues on the back burner in their endeavour to balance their professional and personal lives. They should prioritise their cervical health and talk to the gynaecologist because missing a Pap smear test could mean that the early signs of cervical cancer are not being picked up. Women can take action now to protect themselves from cervical cancer by attending their Pap (cervical) screening and asking their gynecologist about vaccination to protect themselves against the disease.