Each Year 77,000 Women Die Due to Cervical Cancer in India

The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) hosted an expert group meeting for ‘Cervical Cancer Mukt Bharat’ At AIIMS, New Delhi. FOGSI, the largest organization of obstetricians and gynecologists in India. It has representatives working for women's health in both the public and private sector, has requested the Indian government to include Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in the National Program to lessen the burden of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is quickly overtaking maternal mortality as the leading preventable cause of death and suffering among Indian women. Despite being completely avoidable with the HPV vaccine and routine screening, cervical cancer still claims the lives of more than 77,000 women in India each year.

At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, FOGSI hosted an expert group meeting with the goal of ‘Accelerating Action for Cervical Cancer Mukt Bharat.’ Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, and Dr. Shantha Kumari, President of the FOGSI were the event leaders. Dr. VK Paul, a member of NITI Aayog, and Sh. Rajesh Bhushan, secretary of the Indian government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, were two of the notable guests invited by FOGSI. They discussed the government's initiatives to eradicate of cervical cancer in the nation.

International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO), Asia Oceania Research Organization on Genital Infections and Neoplasia (AOGIN-India), Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ISCCP), and Association of Gynecologic Oncologists of India (AGOI) collaborated to organize the meeting.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection leads to cervical cancer in around 120,000 Indian women every year killing more than 77,000 deaths. Indian women age 15 and older who are at risk of acquiring cervical cancer number around 453 million.

Dr. Shantha Kumari, President of FOGSI, said during the Expert Group Meeting on Cervical Cancer: "So much morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer is unnecessary. Cervical cancer develops 10 to 20 years after mild dysplasia first appears. The disease is completely avoidable because of its slow progression. Regular screening is required to identify pre-cancerous lesions, early diagnosis and prompt treatment to stop their development into cancer. However, screening alone is insufficient. We also demand that the HPV vaccine be widely administered.”

She further added. “If administered to women and girls before they are exposed to the virus, this can prevent the majority of incidences of cervical cancer as well as other malignancies brought on by HPV. We at FOGSI and other like-minded organizations would like to see the HPV vaccine included in the National Program by the Government of India.”

Advertisement

Dr. Shantha Kumari speaking about the expert group said, “The objective of setting up this Expert Group Meeting at AIIMS is to bring out a White Paper addressing the sociocultural diversity of India and the practical difficulties and solutions for putting the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative's objectives into practice in India. To urge a review of the cervical cancer prevention strategy and prompt national adoption of the HPV vaccine, which would have an impact on the lives of millions of women and their families, FOGSI would like to deliver the White Paper to the Government and policymakers.”

Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, stated in her welcome speech. “India is now on its road to universalizing the national-level HPV vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer.” After executing a sizable multi-centric trial, the HPV vaccine CERVAVAC, (5) manufactured in India was released. It is regarded as inexpensive, safe, and highly effective. In order to achieve widespread cervical-cancer screening, efforts are also being made to create an affordable point-of-care indigenous HPV test. With this, there is renewed hope for India's efforts to eradicate cervical cancer quickly.”

Advertisement

The FOGSI's Secretary General, Dr. Madhuri Patel, stated that the group has been collaborating with other organizations to eradicate cervical cancer on all fronts. “We have given top priority to enhancing the government of India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's efforts in this area. By hosting training sessions and community camps for the two pillars of screening and treating pre-invasive lesions of cervical cancer, we are relentlessly working to improve competency across the nation, she continued.”

Famous gynecologist Dr. Usha Saraiya said during the occasion that Prof. VK Paul from NITI Aayog and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan's attendance demonstrated the government's support and will to eradicate cervical cancer.

“The organizations who participated in this Expert Group Meeting have been working tirelessly for the prevention and control of cervical cancer,” said Dr. CN Purandare, a former president of FOGSI. He added that these initiatives have been greatly increased during the past two years in accordance with the WHO Call for Action. By setting specific goals for 2030, the WHO has provided a global strategy to end cervical cancer. These goals include immunizing 90% of girls by the age of 15, screening 70% of women with an efficient test like HPV, and treating 90% of precancerous and cancerous lesions (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cervical cancer kills 77,000 women in India each year. Include HPV vaccine in National Program: FOGSI

Go to source, 2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cervical cancer claims more than 77,000 lives every year, include HPV vaccine in National Program: FOGSI

Go to source, 3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Indian doctors develop low-cost screening for cervical cancer

Go to source, 4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cervical Cancer Kills Over 77K Indian Women Every Year: FOGSI

Go to source).

Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT said, this is a celebration of collective efforts of all stakeholders and added that partnerships with industries are becoming incredibly important for doing R&D, which requires huge funding. He said, India will take a lead in vaccine development and medicine by breaking all barriers for betterment of mankind.

Dr N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR in her address said that the cancer vaccine will help Indian women and women across the globe in major way and we may see in near future the version 1, 2 and 3 of “CERVAVAC”, as technologies are short lived. She said, “India Can Do” and added that we will come out with Indian solutions to Indian problems in true spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, Pune said in his brief address said that well being and protection of mother and child is the core philosophy of Serum Institute as only a healthy India can be a productive India. He also supported DBT’s vision for more collaboration between Private and Government sectors for manufacturing of vaccines and drugs in India.

Noted film actress Manisha Koirala, who bravely fought and won the battle against ovarian cancer joined virtually to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology and particularly DBT for reaching this milestone. She said, this a great day for women in India and women world over, as there is life beyond cancer. She said, cost effective preventive treatment will inspire millions of such patients to say “Yes to Life.”

Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Adviser, DBT and MD, BIRAC gave the welcome address, while Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Mission Director, Grand Challenges India and In-Charge, Mission COVID Suraksha, BIRAC delivered the vote of thanks.

Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Prof., Gynaecology and Obstetrics, AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr. N. K. Arora, INCLEN Trust, New Delhi, Dr. Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India, Pune, Dr. Guruprasad R. Medigeshi, Asst. Prof., THSTI, Faridabad, Dr. Devasena Anantharaman, Scientist, RGCB, Thiruvananthapuram also took part in the event.

CERVAVAC

CERVAVAC is a vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer which is indigenously manufactured. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, and Minister of State (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space announced the development of India's first indigenous vaccine ‘CERVAVAC’ for the prevention of cervical cancer.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “This affordable and cost-effective vaccine marks an important day for DBT and BIRAC as it takes India a step closer to PM Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He made the announcement in the presence of Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, Pune, and other notable scientists and dignitaries.

He emphasized that despite being mostly avoidable, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy in India and is responsible for roughly one-fourth of all cervical cancer fatalities worldwide. He said that according to current statistics, over 75,000 women in India die from the disease each year and 1.25 lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. He further claimed that HPVs 16 or 18 are responsible for 83% of invasive cervical cancer cases in India and 70% of cases globally. The Minister stated that vaccination against the human papillomavirus is the most effective method for avoiding cervical cancer (HPV) (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
"CERVAVAC" for the prevention of cervical cancer

Go to source).

Indian Women can be SAVED

In addition to creating and putting into place a successful cervical cancer screening and prevention programme, India needs to keep up its active research in the areas of identifying all potential risk factors and ways to reduce them. The current National Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program could aid in reducing the morbidity and death linked to this avoidable malignancy by raising awareness about cervical cancer prevention and treatment (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Profile of cervical cancer patients attending Tertiary Care Hospitals of Mangalore, Karnataka: A 4 year retrospective study

Go to source).

References

1. Cervical cancer kills 77,000 women in India each year. Include HPV vaccine in National Program: FOGSI - (https://www.punekarnews.in/cervical-cancer-kills-77000-women-in-india-each-year-include-hpv-vaccine-in-national-program-fogsi/)
2. Cervical cancer claims more than 77,000 lives every year, include HPV vaccine in National Program: FOGSI - (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/cervical-cancer-claims-more-than-77000-lives-every-year-include-hpv-vaccine-in-national-program-fogsi/articleshow/94931719.cms?)
3. Indian doctors develop low-cost screening for cervical cancer - (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/indian-doctors-develop-low-cost-screening-for-cervical-cancer/articleshow/20412244.cms?from=mdr)
4. Cervical Cancer Kills Over 77K Indian Women Every Year: FOGSI - (https://www.hercircle.in/engage/get-inspired/trending/cervical-cancer-kills-over-77k-indian-women-every-year-fogsi-3664.html)
5. “CERVAVAC” for the prevention of cervical cancer - (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1856034)
6. Profile of cervical cancer patients attending Tertiary Care Hospitals of Mangalore, Karnataka: A 4 year retrospective study - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5320814/)

Source-Medindia