By: Aprajita Cheruvathoor
The government of India needs to grasp the urgency of cervical cancer patients regarding the allocation of funds for the availability of vaccines since 1/6 women in India are battling this preventable disease. Late diagnosis leads to the irrevocable result of patients barely surviving up to 5 years. As rightfully stated by Dr. R. Sankaranarayanan, member of WHO and Director of the Screening Group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - "Cervical cancer is preventable, yet it remains a leading cause of death among India's poorest women. The disparity in access to screening and treatment is alarming, and we must bridge this gap to save lives. ” The importance of HPV vaccines lies in their ability to significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer by preventing HPV infections. Vaccination helps protect against the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV, thereby lowering the incidence of precancerous changes and potentially preventing the development of cervical cancer altogether. This proactive measure is crucial in reducing the global burden of the disease and promoting overall reproductive health.
India beginning to grasp this urgency has shown light by there being has been an official statement by the Finance Minister regarding a national drive to vaccinate girls between the ages of 9-14 years against the Human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer although there not being a date for the release of this campaign.
Immediate actions and campaigns need to be launched having enforced adequate legislatures regarding the provision of healthcare for underprivileged girls and their accessibility. In India, cervical cancer disproportionately affects women from underprivileged backgrounds due to systemic inequities in healthcare access and awareness. Rural women, who make up a significant portion of the population, are often unable to access regular screenings like Pap smears, leading to late-stage diagnoses and higher mortality rates. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reports that only about 22% of women in rural areas have ever undergone cervical cancer screening, compared to nearly 50% in urban areas.
Moreover, the government's healthcare initiatives, though expanding, often fail to reach marginalized communities effectively, leaving many women without necessary preventive care or treatment. This neglect is further exacerbated by socioeconomic factors such as low literacy rates and poverty, which limit awareness and access to available healthcare services, contributing to India having one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the world. The HPV vaccine, which is crucial for preventing cervical cancer, can be quite expensive. In India, the cost of the vaccine ranges from approximately ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per dose, and the full vaccination series typically requires three doses which is ₹9000. For many families, especially in lower-income brackets, this represents a significant financial burden. Additionally, the cost of exporting the vaccine to other countries with limited access can further strain budgets. Increased funding is essential to subsidize these costs, making the vaccine more affordable and accessible, thereby improving public health outcomes and reducing the incidence of cervical cancer globally.
Cervical cancer primarily develops due to persistent infection with high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which introduces viral oncogenes into cervical cells. These oncogenes can inactivate tumour suppressor genes leading to abnormal cell growth. Over time, this may progress to invasive cervical cancer if not detected and treated early. Regular screening through Pap smears can identify dysplasia before it advances, and HPV vaccination is a crucial preventive measure against the virus. While the Indian government's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is a commendable initiative to tackle cervical cancer through prevention, early detection, and treatment, there is a pressing need for more targeted campaigns. Expanding outreach, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, is crucial to ensuring that all women have access to life-saving screenings and HPV vaccinations. Increased awareness campaigns, mobile health units, and partnerships with local organizations could bridge the gap in healthcare access, making cervical cancer prevention more widespread and effective. Strengthening and multiplying such efforts is essential to reducing the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer across the country. The official motatlity rate of cervical cancer in India declined from 10.9 per 100,000 women in 1990 to 7.38 per 100,000 women in 2019, according to a study published in 2022 by the department of community medicine at Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Delhi which is just absolutely staggering. In conclusion, immediate measures need to be sought as millions of lives are at stake causing inevitable mayhem.
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