Description

The session was led by Dr. Bhargavi Brahmakal, an accomplished MBBS doctor and consultant within the WMN group of doctors. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Bhargavi has developed a specialized focus in sexual medicine and gynecology. Beyond her clinical practice, she is deeply committed to education, regularly engaging in the teaching and training of aspiring medical students. In this workshop, the focus was on cervical cancer; however, Dr. Bhargavi Brahmakal did not limit her presentation to this particular type of cancer. Instead, she provided a comprehensive overview of cancers that predominantly affect women. The first type of cancer she addressed was breast cancer. Dr. Bhargavi explained how to perform self-examinations for breast cancer, highlighting symptoms such as lumps, inverted nipples, and unusual discharge. For younger women, she emphasized the importance of regular self-breast examinations, while advising women over the age of forty or fifty to undergo mammography for more accurate detection. She also discussed various risk factors associated with breast cancer. The second type of cancer was uterine cancer, which specifically affects the womb. She explained that women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding around the time of menopause, or postmenopausal bleeding, should be particularly vigilant as these could be warning signs. Uterine cancer can initially be suspected through an ultrasound, with a definitive diagnosis often requiring a sample from the inside of the uterus.The third type of cancer introduced was ovarian cancer. She emphasized that ovarian cancer is particularly challenging because it often presents no symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect. Unlike other cancers, there is no routine screening available for ovarian cancer, and the lack of early suspicion contributes to delayed diagnosis. Dr. Bhargavi stressed that among the various cancers affecting women, ovarian cancer is one of the most severe, She pointed out that its subtlety makes it particularly dangerous, often progressing unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages. The next type of cancer Dr. Bhargavi explained was cervical cancer, which was the primary focus of the workshop. She began by detailing what cervical cancer is, explaining that it is a malignant tumor of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus. Dr. Bhargavi highlighted that cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with 99% of cases linked to high-risk strains of this virus. She then discussed the different types of cervical cancer, its symptoms, stages, prognosis, and treatment options. In India, cervical cancer contributes to approximately 6 to 29% of all cancers in women, underscoring the significance of this issue in the country. In terms of who is at risk, she explained that individuals who are sexually active are most likely to be exposed to HPV, which can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Dr. Bhargavi emphasized that cervical cancer and uterine cancer are distinct conditions, requiring different approaches to diagnosis and prevention. Fortunately, cervical cancer can often be prevented through regular screening and the HPV vaccine. Symptoms may include bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, foul-smelling discharge, low back pain, and lower abdominal pain. However, in some cases, the cancer may be asymptomatic. Treatment options range from surgery to radiation and chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the cancer. It was an interactive session where participants openly asked their doubts. The session ended with a Vote of thanks and a group picture.