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New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Experts call for HPV awareness to fight cervical cancer
HYDERABAD: Medical experts have voiced serious concern over the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases in India, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), despite it being a highly preventable disease through timely vaccination and regular screening. With over 51.4 crore women aged 15 and above at risk, the country reports 123,907 new cases and 77,348 deaths from cervical cancer every year, making it the second most common cancer among women. The issues were voiced during a panel discussion at the 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave,' organised by the Serum Institute of India (SII) at a star hotel in Hyderabad on Thursday. The Serum Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has developed the country's first indigenous gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac. The vaccine offers protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, with types 6 and 11 causing genital warts and types 16 and 18 responsible for cervical cancer. Cervavac is recommended for both girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years. Consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist at St. Theresa's Hospital and Asvins Hospital, Dr D Leela stated, 'While every HPV-positive case does not mean cervical cancer, counselling is important. Screening is crucial for sexually active women over 30, as 90% of individuals contract HPV at least once by this age. The concern lies in the remaining 10% where the infection becomes persistent,' she told TNIE.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Doctors stress the need for gender-neutral cervical cancer prevention strategy in India
For years, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been closely associated with preventing cervical cancer in women. However, doctors are now pushing for a more inclusive approach, urging that boys too be vaccinated to curb transmission and protect against several other cancers linked to the virus. At the Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave, an initiative by the Serum Institute of India in Hyderabad on Thursday, doctors underscored the need to reframe HPV as a public health concern rather than solely a women's health issue. 'Why boys? Because they are the carriers. HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. In both Indian and Western statistics, about one in three boys are found to have the virus by the age of 15. While it may not cause immediate symptoms or health issues in boys, it is often passed on to girls, increasing their risk of cervical cancer,' said Dr. M. Surendranath, HoD, Paediatrics, DNB Faculty, Vijay Marie Hospital, Hyderabad. He pointed out that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer. 'It can also lead to penile cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancer in men. Moreover, HPV types 6 and 11 cause genital warts, psychologically distressing, though not cancerous. Australia's decision to vaccinate boys under its national immunisation programme has significantly brought down cases of genital warts,' he said. Silent virus, late consequences One reason for the lack of awareness, doctors say, is that HPV doesn't show symptoms early on. 'It is unlike other viral infections where you get a fever or rash. In the case of HPV, most people don't even realise they've been infected. It can remain dormant in the body for decades and only manifest as cancer years later,' said Dr. D. Leela, consultant gynaecologist, St. Theresa's Hospital and Asvins Hospital, Hyderabad. Screening and prevention: Not just vaccines While vaccination is a crucial step in prevention, doctors highlighted the importance of screening, especially for women aged 30 and above. 'There are three levels of screening. The government-recommended method is VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid), where simple vinegar is applied to the cervix to check for abnormalities. Then there is the more familiar Pap smear or cytology. And finally, the most sensitive but costly option is the HPV DNA test, which detects the presence of the virus directly,' the doctor added. Vaccine targets and coverage The most commonly used HPV vaccines in India are quadrivalent, targeting types 6, 11, 16, and 18. While 6 and 11 are responsible for genital warts, 16 and 18 account for over 80% of cervical cancer cases. 'As far as genital warts go, they are relatively uncommon in India compared to Western countries. In our clinical experience, they account for about 5 to 10% of cases in gynaecological practice. Many of these patients go to dermatologists instead,' said Dr Surendranath.
India Today
06-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Karnataka government's vaccine-cardiac deaths link refuted by Jayadeva hospital chief
The chief of Jayadeva Hospital has stated that reports submitted to the government show no correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and the recent cardiac deaths in Hassan district, Karnataka. This contradicts claims made by the Karnataka Chief Minister linking heart attacks to vaccines. The hospital chief clarified that while COVID-19 infection itself may have caused an increase in heart attacks and strokes in the early stages due to blood clot formation, vaccines are not responsible for the current incidents. The statement comes amidst an ongoing debate between the Karnataka government and health experts, with institutions like Serum Institute of India, AIIMS, and ICMR refuting any link between vaccines and cardiac deaths.
India Today
06-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Sanjay Raut: We embrace Hindi, but oppose its imposition in primary schools
The chief of Jayadeva Hospital has stated that reports submitted to the government show no correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and the recent cardiac deaths in Hassan district, Karnataka. This contradicts claims made by the Karnataka Chief Minister linking heart attacks to vaccines. The hospital chief clarified that while COVID-19 infection itself may have caused an increase in heart attacks and strokes in the early stages due to blood clot formation, vaccines are not responsible for the current incidents. The statement comes amidst an ongoing debate between the Karnataka government and health experts, with institutions like Serum Institute of India, AIIMS, and ICMR refuting any link between vaccines and cardiac deaths.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Medical experts call for increased vaccination to tackle HPV-associated cancers
Medical professionals at a conclave in Coimbatore on Friday urged greater uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical and other HPV-associated cancers. The awareness campaign was launched as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The panel comprised T.V. Chitra Bhat, Professor and Unit Head, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (PSG IMS&R); K. Aarathy, MD, Manu Hospital; P. Senthil Kumar, Senior Assistant Professor, Neonatology, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital; A. Jayavardhana, Professor and Head, PSG IMS&R and N. Jayashree, Associate Professor, Cancer Institute, Adyar. The discussion was moderated by Nandhini Kumaran, Consultant, Masonic Hospital and Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. The experts highlighted the need to raise awareness among adolescents and parents and underscored the responsibility of healthcare providers in promoting preventive care. They pointed out that although a safe and effective vaccine is available, uptake remains low in India. '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,' said Dr. Senthil Kumar. 'With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 and 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. With the availability of Cervavac, an affordable HPV vaccine developed in India, it has become easier to protect individuals from HPV-associated cancers.' During the conclave, the panel noted that India continues to face a high burden of HPV-related diseases, with cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among women. According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. HPV is also linked to up to 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers, they said. The experts said limited public knowledge, stigma around discussing sexually transmitted infections, and the absence of routine vaccine recommendations in clinical settings are major reasons for the low coverage.
