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SII launches nationwide HPV cancer awareness campaign
The 'Conquer HPV Cancer Conclave 2025' was launched in Pune on Thursday as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
India continues to face a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in the country. India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually, according to the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC). This apart, up to 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV.
At the Pune event, a panel of medical specialists engaged in an in-depth discussion about the public health implications of HPV. The panel included Dr Meenu Agarwal, consultant gynaecologist infertility specialist and laparoscopic surgeon, Dr Shirish Kankariya, pediatrician, Dr Mahima Lalwani, consultant obstetrician, gynecologist, infertility specialist .The session was moderated by Dr Sanjay K Lalwani, vice principal and head, department of paediatrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital, Pune.
Together, they highlighted the pressing need for awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents, and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care. The speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women.
With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 and 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. With an affordable HPV vaccine now available, it has become even easier to protect every individual from HPV associated cancers.
'Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers,' said Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director, SII. 'By bringing together medical experts, healthcare workers, and community members, the forum encourages open dialogue and practical steps toward early detection and prevention,' he added.
