Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh. Thousands of new cases are diagnosed every year. And thousands of women die from it, not because it is untreatable, but because it is caught too late. What makes this especially devastating is that cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can largely be prevented. The tools exist. The vaccine exists. The screening exists. What is still missing, in too many communities, is the awareness.
What is cervical cancer, and who does it affect?
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. According to hospital and region-based studies in Bangladesh, most cases occur in women aged 35 to 60, with the disease accounting for around 12 to 13 percent of all female cancers in the country. But the decisions that affect a woman's risk are often made much earlier, which is why young people need to understand this disease now, not later.
What causes it?
The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus, or HPV, one of the most common infections in the world. It is important to say clearly: HPV is so widespread that most sexually active people will encounter it at some point in their lives. In the majority of cases, the body's immune system clears the infection on its own, and no harm is done. However, in some women, particularly those infected with high-risk strains of HPV, the virus can persist in the body for years. Over time, this persistent infection can damage the cells of the cervix and, if left untreated, may eventually develop into cancer.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of persistent HPV infection, including a weakened immune system and exposure to the virus at a young age. In Bangladesh, where early marriage remains common in some communities, this is a public health concern that deserves open, stigma-free conversation rather than silence.
The silent disease
One of the most dangerous things about cervical cancer is that it often develops without any symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be advanced. Warning signs to watch for include:
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Bleeding after menopause
- Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should never be ignored. Any woman experiencing them should consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Prevention: Vaccination and screening
The HPV vaccine is most effective when given to girls between the ages of 9 and 14, before potential exposure to the virus. Bangladesh has taken an important step by including the HPV vaccine in its national immunization program for adolescent girls. If you have a daughter, a sister, or a younger female relative in this age group, talking to a healthcare provider about the vaccine is one of the most protective things you can do for her.
Vaccination alone, however, is not enough. Regular screening can detect abnormal changes in the cervix before they become cancer, which is why it is just as important. Women aged 30 to 60 are advised to undergo cervical cancer screening. The VIA test, or Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid, is widely available at government health facilities across Bangladesh. Pap smears and HPV DNA testing are also offered at some healthcare centers. A healthcare provider can advise on the most appropriate option.
What you can do
Awareness is where prevention begins. Talk about this with the women in your life — your mother, your sisters, your friends. Encourage the women in your family aged 30 to 60 to get screened at their nearest government health facility. If you have girls aged 9 to 14 in your family, ask about the HPV vaccine at your next visit to a healthcare provider.
No woman should die from a cancer this preventable. The tools are there. The next step is using them.
Note: For more information on cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccination program, contact your nearest government health facility or visit the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) website.