World Cancer Day 2024: Cancer affects women in 5 ways

World Cancer Day 2024: Cancer affects women in 5 ways: World Cancer Day 2024 Cancer is a serious disease which can sometimes prove fatal. This remains a serious matter of concern worldwide. This is the reason why World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on 4th February to spread awareness about this deadly disease. On this occasion, let us know some ill effects of cancer on women.

World Cancer Day 2024: These days many people are struggling with the problem of cancer. This is a serious disease, which can make anyone its victim. There are many types of cancer, which affect different parts of the body. The type of cancer is known by the name of the part of the body that it affects. This serious disease causes death of many people around the world.

This is the reason why World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on 4 February to make people aware about it. The purpose of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.

These cancers affect women

Many types of cancer affect people around the world. There are some cancers which affect only women. Cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulva cancer are common in this. All these types of cancer affect the reproductive organs of women. In such a situation, to know in detail about the adverse effects of cancer on women, we talked to Dr. Bhuvan Chugh, Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology, Max Hospital, Gurgaon.

Infertility

Cancer can directly affect women's reproductive organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva. Tumors in these organs can interfere with their normal functioning, which can impair fertility, which can lead to infertility.

Menopause

Menopause related problems can also occur in women due to cancer. Some cancer treatments, especially those involving removal of the reproductive organs or radiation therapy to the pelvic area, can cause premature menopause.

Vaginal stenosis

Radiation therapy used to treat pelvic cancers (such as cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers) may cause scarring or narrowing of the vaginal tissues, known as vaginal stenosis. This results in decreased elasticity of the vagina and increased dryness, which can make sexual intercourse painful or difficult.

Difficulty in sexual intercourse

Cancer and its treatment can cause physical changes in the reproductive organs and their surrounding tissues, which can affect sexual function. Dealing with cancer and receiving treatment can be emotionally difficult for women, which can affect their sexual desire and arousal. They may have difficulty having physical relationships because of fear, anxiety, depression, and concerns about body image and self-esteem.

Lack of interest in sexual intercourse

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can disrupt hormone levels in the body, which can lead to changes in libido, or the desire for sex. Hormonal therapy used to treat cancer can also affect sexual desire and arousal, leading to loss of interest in sexual intercourse.