Medical experts call for increased vaccination to tackle HPV-associated cancers
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.
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