Cervical cancer screening tests delayed after testing problem at Awanui lab
A cervical cell sample is applied to a slide. HPV testing became the main screening method for cervical cancer in 2023.
Cervical cancer screening results at a privately run laboratory were delayed for about two weeks because of a testing issue.
Awanui Labs maintains that patients were not placed at risk, while an MP says that any delay for cancer screening programmes is concerning.
Awanui Labs suspended testing and reporting on
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4 days ago
- Scoop
We Can Do Better So That All People With HIV Live Healthy Normal Lifespans
Article – CNS People living with HIV must take care of ones mental health and wellbeing, adhere to HIV treatment to stay undetectable and take care of life-style related diseases and ageing-related issues. Love oneself. Stay healthy. And have a health-seeking behaviour to ensure all of us get to age with rights and remain disease-free. People living with HIV must take care of one's mental health and wellbeing, adhere to HIV treatment to stay undetectable (because when undetectable equals untransmittable, then they remain healthy and live normal and disease-free lifespans as well as ensure there is zero risk of any further HIV transmission), and take care of life-style related diseases and ageing-related issues, said Daxa Patel, co-founder of National Coalition of People living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus) who has played a key role in founding of Gujarat State Network of People living with HIV too. Everyone has a right to age with rights and human dignity. Never-ever missed a dose since 2007 onwards Daxa was diagnosed with HIV in 1998. Indian government's free rollout of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy began in 2004. But her lifesaving HIV treatment began 9 years later (in 2007 onwards), as per then-eligibility criteria of the WHO and Indian government. Recognising the importance of treatment and health literacy and treatment adherence, she has never-ever missed her dose since then. Daxa advises simple ways like setting up daily mobile reminders to take every dose correctly and at the right time. Last month, Daxa had recently led the organising of a national dialogue and stakeholder consultation in India's national capital Delhi along with her colleagues like Pooja Mishra (Secretary NCPI Plus) and Manoj Pardeshi (co-founder NCPI Plus and leader of a successful social enterprise Taal+ Pharmacy) and other members of NCPI Plus. Alongside this meeting, almost 30 eligible women with HIV were also screened for breast cancer onsite (using a point-of-care thermal screening tool of Niramai Health Analytix). NCPI Plus members from across India learnt a lot from experts on human papilloma virus or HPV (a virus which causes around 95% of cervical cancers along with other health issues in all genders), India's first indigenously developed and validated molecular diagnostics for HPV (Truenat HPV-HR Plus developed by Molbio Diagnostics – announced by the Indian government in April 2025), and on ensuring how people with HIV age healthily and with rights. Daxa was speaking at a special event to mark HIV Long-Term Survivors' Awareness Day 2025 and ahead of 10th Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC 2025), 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases (POC 2025) and 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025). Eliminate delays in rolling out scientifically approved and validated health tools According to WHO: 'People living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load using any WHO-approved test and continue taking medication as prescribed, have zero risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner(s).' Agrees Dr Gilada: 'Science has proven that if people with HIV are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy and remain virally suppressed, then there is zero risk of any further transmission of HIV from them to anyone else. This is referred to as #UequalsU or undetectable equals untransmittable.' But, in 2023, over 1.3 million people were newly diagnosed with HIV worldwide – despite the science-backed tools to prevent HIV transmission. We can do better to save lives, says Dr Gilada. We need to bridge the deadly divide between 'what we know works' and 'what we do.' Dr Ishwar Gilada is part of the International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council, serves as President-Emeritus of AIDS Society of India (ASI – India's network of medical doctors and scientists of HIV and co-infections and co-morbidities), and CEO of Unison Medicare and Research Centre (UMRC), India. He is the longest serving HIV medical expert in India who had established India's first HIV clinic in government-run JJ Hospital when first HIV case got confirmed in the country. Government of India's National AIDS Control Programme began in 1992, seven years after a civil society group (People's Health Organisation – PHO) was consistently raising HIV awareness. There was a 9-years delay in rolling out government-run programme to prevent HIV transmission from mother to the child in 2001 despite PHO-Wadia safe motherhood model had demonstrated evidence and impact since 1992. Medicines like zidovudine was first used in rich nations over 30 years ago to reduce HIV risk of the unborn child of HIV positive parent(s) – and PHO-Wadia model had rolled these out back then in India too (though government's rollout took another 9 years to do so). Today we have far more effective treatment regimens available to ensure children are born free of HIV – and both mother and the child live healthy and normal lives. Likewise for the rollout of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy: In private sector it began 9 years before the government's programme in India (from 7 April 2004 onwards). Rollout of Dolutegravir – one of the most promising antiretroviral medicines – began 3-4 years later in government-run programme (2020) than private sector in the country (2017). Dr Gilada says we have a long journey ahead to pay adequate attention to quality of life too while we test and treat, care and support for people with HIV. He also points out that new HIV prevention methods that are validated and approved years back have not been rolled out in the country. For example, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a HIV medicine that is for people who are HIV negative to reduce their risk of getting infected with the virus. PrEP is not part of India's HIV programme but available on online shopping websites. Likewise, HIV self-test is not yet rolled out as part of government's programme. HIV stigma has reduced but still lurks HIV stigma has reduced considerably over the last 4 decades but still lurks, says Daxa. 'Over the decades, life expectancy of people with HIV has increased due to improved efficacy of the treatment. CDC estimates that around half of all people with HIV are older than 50 years now. By 2030, 70% of all those with HIV would be over 50. With ageing comes new challenges (HIV-associated and non-HIV associated too),' said Dr Gilada. 'Sometimes I believe that people with HIV live better than non-HIV because they are always constantly under health supervision, monitoring and proactively seeking healthcare services which people who do not have HIV may not be getting.' Dr Gilada's Unison Medicare and Research Centre in Mumbai has several people living with HIV under care for over three decades. 'So, in a way we have provided paediatric to geriatric care for those with HIV.' Dr Gilada says that HIV stigma still exists but when he looks at socio-economic background of his patients under care, he often finds that those who are more educated and privileged are more likely to stigmatise and discriminate. 'We need to have a non-judgmental approach in all healthcare settings,' said Dr Gilada. Daxa shared that almost 23 years back, she was asked a whooping INR 16,000 to for pregnancy and child-birth related healthcare services. Dr Gilada calls upon all healthcare professionals including medical community to not charge extra for providing medical care to those with HIV. 'When #UequalsU and person, then where is the risk of HIV transmission?' Dr Gilada asks medical fraternity to follow the science and evidence and stop discriminating against those with HIV. Dr Gilada asks medical fraternity to think that those people who are not aware of their HIV status and seeking surgery, could be in the 'window period' or have had indulged in high HIV risk behaviours couple of days before too – so, best is to follow infection prevention and control measures universally. Dr Gilada appeals to surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists and other medical professionals, to not attend to people with HIV at the very last. 'Why discriminate?' He calls upon HIV community to leverage upon HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 and help end all forms of HIV related stigma and discrimination. 'But there is not a single case which has been filed under this law since 2017,' said Dr Gilada who had earlier mobilised several associations in the last 30 years to demand such a law. Dr Gilada cites a Mumbai High Court ruling according to which people living with HIV do not even have to disclose their identity (to maintain confidentiality) while seeking legal recourses for justice. We can do better! Managing HIV co-infections and co-morbidities is vital Dr Gilada reminds that along with lifesaving and effective antiretroviral therapy, healthcare workers need to regularly screen people with HIV for a range of co-infections and co-morbidities. Before beginning treatment for any other illness, drug to drug interaction needs to be considered for example. People with HIV are at a higher risk of some non-communicable diseases, such as, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and related complications, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health issues, and others. For example, Dr Gilada shared that risk of impaired glucose and insulin metabolism is double among those with HIV compared to those without the virus. TB, despite being preventable and curable, continues to be the biggest cause of deaths for people with HIV. 'No one needs to die from TB or HIV because we have science-based tools and approaches to avert these untimely deaths,' said Dr Gilada. Dr Gilada and Daxa both advocate for people with HIV to go for adult vaccinations to reduce the risk of or protect themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr Gilada points to several other concerns that must be considered while caring for people with HIV – and make all efforts to effectively address them in evidence-based and people-centred manner. For example, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, etc), genetics, menopause for women, hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, poor engagement in healthcare, poverty, among others. Find your inner light: Purposeful and peaceful living is key Daxa Patel shares that we all need to care for our mental wellbeing and try to remain stress-free. Engaging with purposeful and spirited work to help others with HIV since 2002 onwards has helped her remain busy and meaningfully involved. 'It saved my life,' she said. We need to keep ourselves healthy and ensure that we do not let outside stigma and discrimination effect our sensibilities and wellbeing in any way. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
We Can Do Better So That All People With HIV Live Healthy Normal Lifespans
Love oneself. Stay healthy. And have a health-seeking behaviour to ensure all of us get to age with rights and remain disease-free. People living with HIV must take care of one's mental health and wellbeing, adhere to HIV treatment to stay undetectable (because when undetectable equals untransmittable, then they remain healthy and live normal and disease-free lifespans as well as ensure there is zero risk of any further HIV transmission), and take care of life-style related diseases and ageing-related issues, said Daxa Patel, co-founder of National Coalition of People living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus) who has played a key role in founding of Gujarat State Network of People living with HIV too. Everyone has a right to age with rights and human dignity. Never-ever missed a dose since 2007 onwards Daxa was diagnosed with HIV in 1998. Indian government's free rollout of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy began in 2004. But her lifesaving HIV treatment began 9 years later (in 2007 onwards), as per then-eligibility criteria of the WHO and Indian government. Recognising the importance of treatment and health literacy and treatment adherence, she has never-ever missed her dose since then. Daxa advises simple ways like setting up daily mobile reminders to take every dose correctly and at the right time. Last month, Daxa had recently led the organising of a national dialogue and stakeholder consultation in India's national capital Delhi along with her colleagues like Pooja Mishra (Secretary NCPI Plus) and Manoj Pardeshi (co-founder NCPI Plus and leader of a successful social enterprise Taal+ Pharmacy) and other members of NCPI Plus. Alongside this meeting, almost 30 eligible women with HIV were also screened for breast cancer onsite (using a point-of-care thermal screening tool of Niramai Health Analytix). NCPI Plus members from across India learnt a lot from experts on human papilloma virus or HPV (a virus which causes around 95% of cervical cancers along with other health issues in all genders), India's first indigenously developed and validated molecular diagnostics for HPV (Truenat HPV-HR Plus developed by Molbio Diagnostics – announced by the Indian government in April 2025), and on ensuring how people with HIV age healthily and with rights. Daxa was speaking at a special event to mark HIV Long-Term Survivors' Awareness Day 2025 and ahead of 10th Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC 2025), 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases (POC 2025) and 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025). Eliminate delays in rolling out scientifically approved and validated health tools According to WHO: 'People living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load using any WHO-approved test and continue taking medication as prescribed, have zero risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner(s).' Agrees Dr Gilada: 'Science has proven that if people with HIV are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy and remain virally suppressed, then there is zero risk of any further transmission of HIV from them to anyone else. This is referred to as #UequalsU or undetectable equals untransmittable.' But, in 2023, over 1.3 million people were newly diagnosed with HIV worldwide – despite the science-backed tools to prevent HIV transmission. We can do better to save lives, says Dr Gilada. We need to bridge the deadly divide between 'what we know works' and 'what we do.' Dr Ishwar Gilada is part of the International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council, serves as President-Emeritus of AIDS Society of India (ASI – India's network of medical doctors and scientists of HIV and co-infections and co-morbidities), and CEO of Unison Medicare and Research Centre (UMRC), India. He is the longest serving HIV medical expert in India who had established India's first HIV clinic in government-run JJ Hospital when first HIV case got confirmed in the country. Government of India's National AIDS Control Programme began in 1992, seven years after a civil society group (People's Health Organisation – PHO) was consistently raising HIV awareness. There was a 9-years delay in rolling out government-run programme to prevent HIV transmission from mother to the child in 2001 despite PHO-Wadia safe motherhood model had demonstrated evidence and impact since 1992. Medicines like zidovudine was first used in rich nations over 30 years ago to reduce HIV risk of the unborn child of HIV positive parent(s) – and PHO-Wadia model had rolled these out back then in India too (though government's rollout took another 9 years to do so). Today we have far more effective treatment regimens available to ensure children are born free of HIV - and both mother and the child live healthy and normal lives. Likewise for the rollout of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy: In private sector it began 9 years before the government's programme in India (from 7 April 2004 onwards). Rollout of Dolutegravir - one of the most promising antiretroviral medicines - began 3-4 years later in government-run programme (2020) than private sector in the country (2017). Dr Gilada says we have a long journey ahead to pay adequate attention to quality of life too while we test and treat, care and support for people with HIV. He also points out that new HIV prevention methods that are validated and approved years back have not been rolled out in the country. For example, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a HIV medicine that is for people who are HIV negative to reduce their risk of getting infected with the virus. PrEP is not part of India's HIV programme but available on online shopping websites. Likewise, HIV self-test is not yet rolled out as part of government's programme. HIV stigma has reduced but still lurks HIV stigma has reduced considerably over the last 4 decades but still lurks, says Daxa. 'Over the decades, life expectancy of people with HIV has increased due to improved efficacy of the treatment. CDC estimates that around half of all people with HIV are older than 50 years now. By 2030, 70% of all those with HIV would be over 50. With ageing comes new challenges (HIV-associated and non-HIV associated too),' said Dr Gilada. 'Sometimes I believe that people with HIV live better than non-HIV because they are always constantly under health supervision, monitoring and proactively seeking healthcare services which people who do not have HIV may not be getting.' Dr Gilada's Unison Medicare and Research Centre in Mumbai has several people living with HIV under care for over three decades. 'So, in a way we have provided paediatric to geriatric care for those with HIV.' Dr Gilada says that HIV stigma still exists but when he looks at socio-economic background of his patients under care, he often finds that those who are more educated and privileged are more likely to stigmatise and discriminate. 'We need to have a non-judgmental approach in all healthcare settings,' said Dr Gilada. Daxa shared that almost 23 years back, she was asked a whooping INR 16,000 to for pregnancy and child-birth related healthcare services. Dr Gilada calls upon all healthcare professionals including medical community to not charge extra for providing medical care to those with HIV. 'When #UequalsU and person, then where is the risk of HIV transmission?' Dr Gilada asks medical fraternity to follow the science and evidence and stop discriminating against those with HIV. Dr Gilada asks medical fraternity to think that those people who are not aware of their HIV status and seeking surgery, could be in the 'window period' or have had indulged in high HIV risk behaviours couple of days before too – so, best is to follow infection prevention and control measures universally. Dr Gilada appeals to surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists and other medical professionals, to not attend to people with HIV at the very last. "Why discriminate?" He calls upon HIV community to leverage upon HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 and help end all forms of HIV related stigma and discrimination. 'But there is not a single case which has been filed under this law since 2017,' said Dr Gilada who had earlier mobilised several associations in the last 30 years to demand such a law. Dr Gilada cites a Mumbai High Court ruling according to which people living with HIV do not even have to disclose their identity (to maintain confidentiality) while seeking legal recourses for justice. We can do better! Managing HIV co-infections and co-morbidities is vital Dr Gilada reminds that along with lifesaving and effective antiretroviral therapy, healthcare workers need to regularly screen people with HIV for a range of co-infections and co-morbidities. Before beginning treatment for any other illness, drug to drug interaction needs to be considered for example. People with HIV are at a higher risk of some non-communicable diseases, such as, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and related complications, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health issues, and others. For example, Dr Gilada shared that risk of impaired glucose and insulin metabolism is double among those with HIV compared to those without the virus. TB, despite being preventable and curable, continues to be the biggest cause of deaths for people with HIV. "No one needs to die from TB or HIV because we have science-based tools and approaches to avert these untimely deaths," said Dr Gilada. Dr Gilada and Daxa both advocate for people with HIV to go for adult vaccinations to reduce the risk of or protect themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr Gilada points to several other concerns that must be considered while caring for people with HIV – and make all efforts to effectively address them in evidence-based and people-centred manner. For example, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, etc), genetics, menopause for women, hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, poor engagement in healthcare, poverty, among others. Find your inner light: Purposeful and peaceful living is key Daxa Patel shares that we all need to care for our mental wellbeing and try to remain stress-free. Engaging with purposeful and spirited work to help others with HIV since 2002 onwards has helped her remain busy and meaningfully involved. 'It saved my life,' she said. We need to keep ourselves healthy and ensure that we do not let outside stigma and discrimination effect our sensibilities and wellbeing in any way. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Despite Being Preventable And Curable Cervical Cancer Remains 4th Biggest Cancer In Women
Prophylactic vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) – which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and which causes cervical cancer – and screening, and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are very cost-effective strategies … Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix) is preventable and curable, only if it is detected early and managed effectively. Yet it is the 4th most common cancer among women worldwide, with the disease occurring in 660,000 women and claiming the lives of 350,000 women in 2022 worldwide, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). China, India, and Indonesia had the highest number of cervical cancer cases in 2022. Moreover 42% of cervical cancer cases and 39% of deaths associated with it worldwide, took place in China and India- 23% cases and 16% deaths in China, and 19% cases and 23% deaths in India. India reported over 123,000 new cases of cervical cancer and around 77,000 deaths – highest number of deaths worldwide in 2022. Cervical cancer disproportionately affects younger women, and as a result, 20% of children who lose their mother to cancer do so due to cervical cancer, says WHO. As cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be eliminated, the WHO Director General had called upon the governments in 2018 to eliminate it. All governments globally committed to do so by 2030 (by endorsing the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 at the World Health Assembly 2020). But despite some progress, the world is way off the mark from the elimination goal in 2025. Where cervical cancer burden is greatest, access to lifesaving services is most broken Cervical cancer reflects the global inequities between the Global North and the Global South: The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-income countries. In fact, 94% of the cervical cancer deaths in 2022 took place in these countries where access to health services is appalling. This reflects major health inequities which are driven by lack of access to vaccination, cervical cancer screening and treatment services. Prophylactic vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) – which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and which causes cervical cancer – and screening, and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are very cost-effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer. WHO's call to deliver on #HealthForAll dates to the 1970s, but even now gaping health inequities and injustices plague the health systems – especially in the Global South. Vaccines against HPV have existed since almost 20 years now. No surprise for guessing that both Cervarix (made by Glaxo) and Gardasil (made by Merck) were made in the rich nations – and their rollout in the Global South has been far from ideal. In 2022, India-based Serum Institute in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology of the government of India developed India's first indigenously produced HPV vaccine called Cervavac. So, now there is a vaccine developed in the Global South too. But its rollout is far from ideal as of now. It is still not a part of India's public health programme, for instance. Same inequities block access to HPV screening in the Global South 'Almost all cervical cancers (~95%) are caused by persistent HPV infection. Women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to the general population, and an estimated 5% of all cervical cancer cases are attributable to HIV,' said Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, former head of Indian government's national TB and HIV programmes. Dr Sachdeva was speaking at the National Dialogue and stakeholder meet organised by National Coalition of People living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus) bringing together over 100 community leaders from almost all states of India. Dr Sachdeva currently leads Molbio Diagnostics as President and Chief Medical Officer. He was speaking ahead of 10th Asia-Pacific AIDS & Co-Infections Conference (APACC 2025), Japan; 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point of Care Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases (POC 2025), Thailand; and 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025), Rwanda. Cervical cancer screening efforts in most settings of the Global South have long been hampered by reliance on outdated methods like pap smears and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) test, both of which suffer from poor sensitivity, high subjectivity, and dependence on specialised infrastructure. Advanced molecular HPV tests developed by the Global North, while highly accurate than pap smear and VIA, remain inaccessible for most women living in peripheral, rural, and resource-limited settings, especially of the Global South. India's first point-of-care HPV test that can be deployed at point-of-need in the Global South In April 2025, India's first ever indigenously developed RT-PCR molecular test for HPV on Truenat (called HPV-HR Plus) got an independent multi-centric validation done by Government of India's Department of Biotechnology, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Grand Challenges India. Truenat HPV-HR Plus test is made by Molbio Diagnostics in India. This independent validation of Truenat HPV-HR Plus was conducted under the study 'Validating Indigenous Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in India.' The study involved leading Indian government's research institutes, including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, ICMR National Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) Noida, and ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) Mumbai, in collaboration with WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There are over 200 genotypes of HPV but those that put the infected person at risk of developing cervical cancer are few. Truenat HPV-HR Plus molecular test enables detection for 8 HPV high-risk genotypes – which account for over 96% cervical cancer cases worldwide. These HPV high-risk genotypes include 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 and 58. Out of these, 16 and 18 high-risk genotypes dominate globally as 77% of invasive cervical cancer cases are associated with them. These high-risk genotypes can also cause cancer of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and oropharynx (throat). Raising cervical cancer awareness and health literacy among people with HIV As women living with HIV are 6 times more at risk of cervical cancer, communities and networks of people with HIV must come forward to find ways to integrate cervical cancer screening as well as for other cancers (such as breast cancer) programmatically and in people-centred manner, said Daxa Patel, co-founder of National Coalition of People living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus) and its former President. Agrees Pooja Mishra, Secretary of NCPI Plus that it is unacceptable when cervical cancer, which is preventable and curable – and the only cancer which can be eliminated – still kills 350,000 women worldwide. We also need to raise awareness, health and treatment literacy among the young people, said Mishra. That is why NCPI Plus took leadership in organising a national dialogue and stakeholder consultation on preventing cancers among people with HIV, especially women. Truenat HPV-HR Plus test is critical for closing the screening gap, particularly for asymptomatic women and women who are at higher risk for persistent HPV infection. By shifting HPV screening closer to the most-at-risk people and communities, this test ensures early detection, better triaging, and timely treatment – especially in historically underserved populations. Over 10,000 Truenat RT-PCR molecular test machines are already deployed globally in over 85 countries (mostly for TB), and mostly in the Global South nations in remote settings. Truenat is a battery operated (with solar power charging), laboratory independent, de-centralised and point-of-care test that provides highly accurate diagnosis for over 30 diseases (including TB, HPV, HCV, HBV, STIs, COVID-19, etc) within an hour – thus enabling same day test and treat, counselling and follow-up. Superiority of Truenat HPV-HR Plus test Older Pap smear test detects precancerous or cancerous cervical cancer cells whereas Truenat HPV-HR Plus test detects the presence of high-risk HPV DNA (8 genotypes). Pap smear is a cytological screening test and depends on the observing medical expert's skill and slide quality, whereas Truenat is a PCR-based nuclear acid amplification test with very high sensitivity and specificity. False negative reports are higher and false positive reports are also moderate when pap smear is used whereas both are low with Truenat HPV-HR Plus. The most recent validation of Truenat HPV-HR Plus showed 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. Truenat HPV-HR is designed to work with cervical swab samples collected by a clinician (self-collection of samples is still under evaluation), and it gives highly accurate results in just 60 minutes. Whereas, a pap smear results may take 3-7 days as these are laboratory dependent. Easy to use and with high stability at room temperature, Truenat HPV-HR Plus requires minimal biosafety and is optimised for use at both the laboratory and near-patient settings. This test overcomes shortcomings of current diagnostic methods, including variable sensitivity and specificity, high costs, complex workflows, and dependence on advanced equipment, said Dr Sachdeva. Highlighting the importance of developing health technologies in the Global South, Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India said, 'Truenat HPV-HR Plus represents the kind of diagnostic innovation we need – dependable, scientifically rigorous, locally developed, and built to serve our public health system. It is a huge step forward in strengthening cervical cancer screening across India.' 'HPV infection is common. However, persistence of HPV infection could be deadly. Studies show that nearly half of persistent HPV infections do not resolve by 24 months. These silent carriers drive the progression to high-grade pre-cancerous lesions and cancer. That's why extended HPV genotype detection is crucial,' shared Dr Sachdeva. HPV also causes oropharyngeal cancers Oropharyngeal cancers related to HPV vary from 28% to 68% in the richer nations. Indian studies also show alarming numbers though, more research is needed for science-informed responses towards eliminating HPV related cancers in our population, said Dr Ishwar Gilada, President Emeritus of AIDS Society of India (ASI) and Governing Council member of International AIDS Society (IAS). 'While there is increasing evidence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer in both men and women globally, there still remain gaps in gender-neutral HPV vaccination policies globally,' said Dr Sachdeva. Community leaders like Manoj Pardeshi, who is among the co-founders and inspiring lights of NCPI Plus, said that regardless of gender, all those eligible and at risk of HPV related cancers, must be vaccinated against HPV. Programme addressing cervical cancer elimination should expand to eliminate all HPV related cancers in people-centred ways, regardless of gender. HPV is transmitted through: – Sexual contact: Transmission mode is through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. – Skin-to-skin contact: Transmitted through non-penetrative sexual activities involving skin-to-skin contact. The WHO Guidelines recommend HPV detection via molecular test after age of 30 (and every 5 years thereafter). Vaccination against HPV is highly recommended for younger people under the age of 15 or before the initiation of sexual activity. Do not leave equity behind 'Truenat HPV-HR Plus test is about equity in detection. By expanding beyond traditional targets, we reach the genotypes that matter more in our populations for cervical cancer elimination. This means earlier intervention, fewer missed cases, and better outcomes,' said Dr Sachdeva. Truenat HPV-HR Plus offers the best of both worlds – critical genotype coverage and real-world deploy-ability. What does it mean to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030? To eliminate cervical cancer, all countries must reach and maintain an incidence rate of below 4 per 100,000 women. Achieving that goal rests on three key pillars and their corresponding targets: vaccination: 90% of all eligible young people must be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15. screening: 70% of women should be screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45; treatment: 90% of women with pre-cancer treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed. No other cancer but cervical cancer is fully preventable and curable if detected and managed early. Even one death from it is a death too many. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
