Chandigarh
25 January 2025
DIVYA AZAD
Fortis Hospital, Mohali , in collaboration with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) SHE Forum today hosted an insightful session on “Nurturing Women Health” at PHD House The session, aimed at empowering women with vital health knowledge, focused on critical health topics, with a special emphasis on cervical cancer prevention by Dr. Shweta Tahlan, Consultant in Gynae Onco Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
Dr. Tahlan highlighted the latest advancements in cervical cancer prevention, emphasising the importance of regular screenings, early detection and timely vaccination. As a leading expert in the field of Gynae Oncology, her talk provided valuable insights into the prevention and early management of cervical cancer, which is one of the most prevalent female cancers with 1.2 lakh new cases reported annually worldwide.
“Early cervical cancers can often be treated through surgery alone, and one may avoid undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Symptoms may include postcoital or intermenstrual vaginal bleeding, irregular periods, postmenopausal bleeding, persistent or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain,” said Dr. Shweta Tahlan, Consultant, Gynae Onco-Surgery, Fortis , Mohali.
Sharing information on various screening tests for cervical cancer, Dr. Tahlan added, “The tests include Pap smear, High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) test, visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA), and visual examination after VIA (VILI). Colposcopy is done to detect the cervical pre-cancer stage, which is curable through simple surgical procedures. For other gynae cancers, no routine screening tests are available. It is therefore important to consult a doctor at the earliest in case of any warning signs.”
On the benefits of regular screening, which is recommended for all women between 25 and 65 years of age, Dr. Tahlan said , “Before cervical cancer develops, there is a long pre-cancerous stage wherein abnormal cells are present in the body, but the cancer has not formed yet. At this stage, simple surgical procedures like Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) and Cone Biopsy (surgery to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix) can treat the patient completely without the need for Radical Hysterectomy, and the uterus and ovaries can be saved.”
Dr. Tahlan further stressed on the importance of HPV vaccination in combating cervical cancer. “The ideal age for vaccination of girls is 9-14 years, though catch-up vaccination can be done until 26 years of age. Vaccination done in childhood or adolescence helps to prevent cervical cancer in later years of life,” she stated.
The PHDCCI SHE Forum and Fortis Hospital’s collaborative efforts aim to create greater awareness about women’s health issues and equip women with the knowledge to make informed health decisions.
