Consultancy Corner: Anaemia, cervical cancer: Silent killers affecting Indian women

Characterised by subtle symptoms, such diseases can go untreated for a long time leading to serious complications or even death. Women may be totally unaware that they are suffering from such conditions.

Anaemia in varying degrees is widely prevalent among Indian women. Global Nutrition Report 2017 states that about 51 per cent of women of reproductive age in India suffer from anaemia, predominantly due to nutritional deficiency. Women also have to cope with blood loss during monthly periods which can further reduce their haemoglobin levels. It is prevalent across all socioeconomic strata and can be easily diagnosed and treated.

Characterised by low blood haemoglobin levels, anaemia increases the risk of infection, preterm delivery, and suboptimal foetal growth. During infancy and early childhood, it can cause recurrent illness, failure to thrive, poor performance at school and failure to participate in physical training and games. Analysis by a think tank, IndiaSpend, states that anaemia has remained the leading cause of disability across all ages in India for the past 10 years. Anaemia can be easily diagnosed by a simple blood test called Complete Blood Count. 

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among Indian women. It runs parallel to breast cancer in incidence. 

A study by ASSOCHAM - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) reveals India alone accounts for one-fourth of the total cervical cancer burden globally. It accounts for almost 17 per cent of cancer-related fatalities in women between the ages of 30-69. Majority of cervical cancers in India even today are diagnosed at a late stage. However, precancerous changes of the cervix can be detected at least 15 to 20 years ahead by a simple test known as Pap Smear. Although the test is widely available to the affluent classes, it is not easily accessible to the lower social strata, where it is more prevalent. The high cost of the tests often make them inaccessible to the lesser privileged strata.

Such simple tests can not only save the lives of many women but also improve their quality of life. Due to the rapid changes in lifestyles and lack of awareness, women often fall victim to these ‘unnoticed killers’. 

To create awareness among the women and in order to provide those from the underprivileged sections of our society an opportunity to avail these tests, Motherhood Women and Children hospital conducted a free medical camp for women in partnership with the Thuluva Vellala Association. Basic history, examination, blood counts, blood sugars, ECG and BP, and Pap Smear tests were performed and referrals to specialists were made accordingly. The camp was attended by more than 150 men and women.