Dr Anita K Sharma

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a Well Woman Clinic?

A Well Woman Clinic is a globally accepted medical practice specialized in women’s healthcare for the healthy woman.

 

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical Cancer is the cancer of the neck of the womb, also called "cervix."

 

In India, every four minutes a woman is diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and every 7 minutes a woman dies from it. Around 78,000 women die of Cervical Cancer in India each year. Many of those who develop it have not been screened regularly. 

Not going for regular pap smears is one of the biggest risk factors for developing Cervical Cancer.

 

However, this is a disease which can be prevented. As the Precancerous stage lasts for 10 - 15 years, women have enough time to prevent it before cancer occurs.

 

How can Cervical Cancer be Prevented?

We can prevent the cancerous process from starting in the first place. 

Almost 100% of all Cervical Cancer is caused by High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). To protect yourself against Cervical Cancer, you can get a HPV vaccine, provided there are no detectable changes on surface of the cervix, which will be tested for in those who are sexually active. For those who are not sexually active, the British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP) encourages the HPV vaccine being given to girls starting from age 12 onwards.

 

Precancerous  stage in the cervix is diagnosed by screening through Pap Smear and Colposcopy, which is needed for all women who are sexually active, including those who have taken the HPV vaccine.

 

What is a Pap Smear?

Pap Smear is a screening process which involves taking a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix and these cells are then checked for any changes in a laboratory using a microscope.

It should start at the age of 21 or within one year of becoming sexually active and continue till the age of 64 years, every 3 years.

 

Since Pap Smear accuracy is 57%, Colposcopy, a complementary test, is necessary for a definite result and 100% accuracy.

 

What is Colposcopy?

Colposcopy is a non-invasive diagnostic test used to see the cervix directly, using a special instrument called a "colposcope" which magnifies it upto 40 times. A small biposy may be taken during a colposcopy if abnormal changes are detected. 

Incase of a biopsy, depending on the results, treatment of the precancerous lesion is possible in one sitting in the form of Cryo Cautery or Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ), under a local anaesthetic, without the need to go to a hospital.

 

What are the social & psychological impacts of cancer?

Cancer can dramatically change many aspects of a patient's life. A cancer diagnosis can cause various reactions. Depression and anxiety are common, often leading to treatment avoidance. 

The effect of cancer on a patient's family can be agonising. The financial aspect may add additional stress to a family.

 

Also, surgery may leave them with physical deformities and they may experience side effects from medications.

 

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

It is the commonest endocrine disorder, present in 35% of women in India. It presents itself in teenage girls with obesity, unwanted facial hair, irregular and few periods. Patients are at a high risk of Diabetes, difficulty in conceiving, Depression due to low self esteem, high blood pressure, Endometrial cancer and heart disease.We assess, manage and counsel such cases with utmost tenderness.

 

What is Menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia is abnormally heavy or prolonged menstruation. It can lead to anaemia if prolonged and can be indicative of other problems. At In Sync Gynae Care, we deal with Menorrhagia as a one-stop clinic, including sonography and endometrial biopsy. Sampling of the endometrial lining is done without the need for general anaesthetics.

 

What is Urinary Incontinence?

It is the leakage of urine during coughing, laughing, sneezing or sudden change in position. According to experts one in three women who have had  children will suffer from Stress Urinary Incontinence in her life time. We offer very effective non-surgical relief in just one sitting.