Unlock the Secret to Preventing Cervical Cancer in India

Cervical cancer is a significant health issue in India, with the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI) seeing an incessant flow of patients annually. The tertiary cancer centre provides treatment to 25,000 patients every year from various states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, with most treatments being subsidised under government schemes. Chetna Parekh, a professor at GCRI, highlights that while cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, the outcomes in India are poor, with most patients being diagnosed in the later stages and facing a bleak prognosis.

Every seven minutes, one woman loses her life to cervical cancer in India, yet screening rates remain low, and the HPV vaccine, available for over two decades, has not been included in the country's free vaccination program. There is a lack of awareness about the disease, leading to late-stage diagnoses and high mortality rates.

Mridu Gupta, the head of a non-profit organisation focused on cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection, emphasises the gendered crisis surrounding cervical cancer care in India. She points out the lack of political will in addressing women's health issues, resulting in inadequate screening and treatment options. The stigma, neglect, and abandonment faced by women with cervical cancer further exacerbate the challenges they encounter in accessing proper care and support.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in India, with a significant incidence rate and mortality rate. Dr Krishna Bharadwaj, a Chief Medical Officer Incharge from the Department of Health & Family Welfare in the Government of NCT of Delhi, underscores the importance of cervical cancer screening for early detection and prevention. He explains the role of Pap smears in screening for cervical cancer and advocates for routine screenings to prevent the progression of the disease to advanced stages.

Dr. Bharadwaj also discusses the various screening methods available for different age groups, highlighting the importance of personalised care and innovative techniques in enhancing preventive control measures for cervical cancer in India. By increasing awareness and promoting preventive measures, there is hope to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the country and improve outcomes for women at risk.