Cervical Cancer in India: Current Statistics, Causes, Challenges, and Way Forward

Context:

This editorial is based on the news “Keep it wholesome: On shaping a national cervical cancer control programme” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced during the presentation of the interim Budget that the government plans to encourage vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged 9 to 14.

About Cervical Cancer

• A Viral Disease: Almost all the cases of cervical cancer (99%, as per World Health Organization) are linked to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Transmission: Through sexual contact. 
• Concern: It is easy to prevent, identify and treat, but many women are dying of the disease. 
  • It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India (over 77,000 annually), and is estimated to be the second most frequent cancer among Indian women between 15 and 44 years. 
  • While most HPV infections resolve spontaneously and the women remain symptom-free, persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer. 
• Accessibility: There is availability of a vaccine, the average national prevalence of cervical cancer screening hovers at just under 2% and outcomes depend on the stage of detection.
• Diagnosis: It can be easily diagnosed with minimal tools — the human eye, a dilution of white vinegar, and a dab of Lugol’s iodine. 
  • These are known as VIA and VILI tests and help look for precancerous lesions and cancer, much before an advanced stage of the disease can be picked up with cytology. 
• Procedure: Cryotherapy, a simple and short therapy to destroy the abnormal growth. 

Way Forward To Mitigate Cervical Cancer Burden In India

• Accessible to All: The only way to prevent deaths is to deploy the entire assembly of tools as part of a national cervical cancer control programme, accessible to all women, irrespective of age, education, affordability or social status.
• Right Screening & Procedure: As the government rolls out its vaccination programme, it must also mandate screening right at the primary health centre, and if abnormalities are identified, offer cryotherapy right then. 

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