Cervical Cancer – Hinduism

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and doctors are encouraging women to get tested for the disease.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, or the wall of the cervix. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the leading causes of cancer in Indian women and is responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancers worldwide. The HPV vaccine is The most effective way to prevent cervical cancerto stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that neutralize the virus.

Vaccine availability in India

In India, the HPV vaccine is currently available only on prescription from medical practitioners, despite the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommending that it be included in the national immunization program. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman announced the government's plan It has decided to focus on cervical cancer vaccination as part of its interim budget for 2024. A senior health ministry official said the ministry is working towards this budget. NTAGI recommends one catch-up for girls between the ages of 9 and 14, followed by regular introduction once they reach 9 years of age.

The HPV vaccine was introduced in India in 2008, but its use is limited due to its high cost. Some states such as Punjab and Sikkim have already introduced the vaccine in their immunization programmes. This vaccine is most effective when given before exposure to the virus and is recommended for children 12 to 13 years of age and people at high risk for HPV. The vaccine is safe and well-tolerated and can be used in immunocompromised people and people with HIV/AIDS. Common side effects include mild fever, tenderness, swelling, and redness at the injection site.

Although the HPV vaccine does not treat existing HPV infection or disease, it can prevent more than 90% of HPV-related cancers. Prevents genital warts and most cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, or anal cancers caused by HPV. The HPV vaccine also prevents mouth, throat, and head and neck cancers caused by HPV.

India has approved several HPV vaccines, including Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV-6, 11, 16, and 18. Cervarix (bivalent vaccine) and Selvavac are Indian vaccines developed by the Serum Institute of India that target high-risk HPV types and are effective against HPV types 16 and 18, and are effective against HPV types 16 and 18. Approved for

Burden of cervical cancer in India

In India, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer with an incidence of 18.3% (123,907 cases) and the second leading cause of death among cancers with a mortality rate of 9.1%, according to GLOBOCAN 2020. .

The age-standardized incidence rate was 18 per 100,000 population, while the 5-year prevalence across all ages was 42.82 per 100,000 population. According to the National Cancer Registry Program, breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common cancers in women. Cervical cancer accounts for 6-29% of all cancers among women in India. Papumpalle district in Arunachal Pradesh, India, had the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Asia (27.7).

The majority of cancer patients were diagnosed at locally advanced stages for breast cancer (57.0%), cervix (60.0%), head and neck (66.6%), and gastric (50.8%), whereas for lung cancer, the majority were diagnosed at distant stages. Metastasis was observed. Predominantly male (44.0%) and female (47.6%).

HPV vaccine challenges

Experts say the biggest challenges to widespread HPV vaccination in India include the high cost of the vaccine and concerns about safety and efficacy due to lack of awareness and cultural awareness about reproductive health. are.

Commenting on the cost and coverage of the vaccine, Ritu Sharma, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Ujala Cygnus Hospital Group, said that Gardasil 9 is priced at Rs 10,850 per dose and Gardasil 4 is priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000 per dose. In contrast, Selvavac (the first HPV vaccine made in India by SII) costs ₹2,000 per dose. dose.

Vaccines such as Gardasil and Cervavac are already approved for use in boys and young men and offer protection against HPV-related conditions such as genital warts and certain cancers such as anal and throat cancer. Masu. This is an important step toward broader HPV prevention for both genders.

Sowmya Sampurna M, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Apollo Cradle Children's Hospital in Hyderabad, said all boys and girls between the ages of nine and 26 should receive the HPV vaccine. Men and women ages 27 to 45 who have not yet been vaccinated should consider getting vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before infection.

India is working as part of global efforts to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. Last March, World Health Organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, announced that they are increasing the number of planned and financial commitments by governments, donors, and multilateral organizations (approximately $600 million in new funding) to eliminate cervical cancer. announced major new policies (including funding). .

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and continues to disproportionately impact women and their families in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), the organization said in a press release. said. “Every two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer, but the knowledge and tools already exist to prevent and even eliminate this disease. “Vaccination can prevent the majority of cases and, in combination with screening and treatment, offers a path to elimination,” the report said.

“We have the knowledge and tools to change the course of cervical cancer, but vaccination, screening and treatment programs are not yet at the scale needed,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom. Ghebreyesus insisted.

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