India contributes to 25% of the global cervical cancer mortality, highlighting the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat the disease
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This January, which is marked as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has partnered with the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) in a drive to eliminate cervical cancer from India. The collaboration focuses on widespread vaccination and enhancing physician training. As part of this initiative, a one-year training programme has been introduced, aimed at educating over 50,000 IMA physicians from Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 cities. These physicians will receive specialised training from FOGSI experts, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat cervical cancer effectively.
Cervical cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India, with the country accounting for 77,348 deaths annually. India contributes to 25% of the global cervical cancer mortality, highlighting the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat the disease. A key strategy in addressing this issue is increasing the uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, a critical tool in preventing cervical cancer.
This effort, announced at the All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AICOG) conference in Mumbai, seeks to bolster the country’s fight against one of its most prevalent preventable cancers. The programme underscores the role of general physicians, gynaecologists, and pediatricians in promoting HPV vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy, aligning with the government’s vision of a ‘Cervical Cancer Mukt Bharat’.
The training modules will include evidence-based guidelines and practical strategies for confidently recommending the HPV vaccine. By equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to address vaccine hesitancy, this initiative directly supports the Government of India’s plan to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer through HPV vaccination.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2022, an estimated 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 350,000 women died from the disease.
Effective primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary prevention approaches (screening for, and treating precancerous lesions) will prevent most cervical cancer cases.
Source: WHO
Collaborative expertise
The programme’s development is supported by the Cancer Foundation of India and the American Cancer Society, ensuring it aligns with global best practices. Priya Ganesh Kumar, National Convenor of the HPV Program, highlighted the scientific evidence backing HPV vaccination and its critical role in cancer prevention.
“India needs more and more physicians to strongly advocate for HPV vaccination, one of the safest vaccines that prevents cancer. Backed by strong scientific evidence from India and globally, there is no doubt about its effectiveness,” said Dr. Priya.
Dilip Bhanushali, national president of IMA, highlighted the significance of empowering physicians with accurate knowledge to bridge awareness gaps and enhance vaccine uptake. “This collaboration is not just a professional commitment but a personal mission to ensure Indian girls are protected from cervical cancer,” he said.
Cervical Cancer: a preventable tragedy
Cervical cancer is on its way to elimination globally, and one of the key strategies to eliminate it is to vaccinate 90% young girls (9 to 14 years) against HPV to prevent cervical cancer in their adulthood. The HPV vaccine has been proven to be highly effective in preventing infections that are the primary cause of cervical cancer.
FOGSI president Sunita Tandulwadkar underscored the initiative’s importance, marking it as a key presidential programme. “HPV vaccination is a powerful tool in eliminating cervical cancer. We will not stop until we achieve our collective goal,” she affirmed.
This initiative not only enhances HPV vaccine recommendations but also positions healthcare providers as influential advocates at sub-national, district, and block levels. It represents a significant stride in supporting the national HPV vaccine programme rollout and safeguarding the health of India’s future generations, said the IMA.
Published – January 15, 2025 05:24 pm IST
