Book Description

Cancer is a disease, the very name of which induces panic in those diagnosed with it and their near ones .A major public health problem- it is a scourge on the economy. A big concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and everyday this burden is looming larger while resources to control cancer in LMICs, either from domestic budgets or international aid, have not increased proportionately. This book is a lucid account on cervical cancer keeping both general public and health care workers in mind. Most populations in LMICs lack access to effective cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and palliation. Attempts to provide an up-to-date review of etiology, epidemiology, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of interventions for cervical cancers. Serious progress in cervical cancer prevention and treatment began about half a century ago in high-income countries. The knowledge that has fueled progress became available immediately for LMICs. Newer and better technologies are now available: HPV testing can replace the more resource- and infrastructure-intensive Pap smear for cervical cancer screening. Increasing national incomes and broader national health coverage in middleincome countries , have already made a range of services available to a wider population. The pace needs to be accelerated and efforts increased in low-income countries, India only accounts for one-third of global cancer deaths. The best approach to lowering the cervical cancer burden is a system that promotes prevention as well as early detection and treatment. A focus on preventive measures that include awareness generation of risk factors and screening benefits, mass screening programmes and free packages of feasible interventions for masses is need of the hour . Policy makers and those involved in planning need to make concerted efforts to save large numbers of lives at an affordable cost and same should be prioritized by the public sector as well NGO's have to be seriously involved . We thank our co-authors for working tirelessly, responding to reviews, and working hard in mass screening programme We profoundly thank Department of Biotechnology Government of India for funding our mass cervical cancer screening programme under its societal schemes Special thanks go to Dr Showkat Ahmad Bhat for help in compilation of the book He vastly improved the quality of the volume that you see, and we are grateful Many more individuals provided thoughtful comments, guidance, and encouragement; we thank them all. In high income countries cervical cancer is no longer as dreaded as it was with the increasing list of cancer survivors same can happen in LMIC its only a matter of serious efforts and resolve on part of policy makers. This book is a humble attempt to try and help in fighting cervical cancer