Latest news with #ConquerHPV&CancerConclave2025
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Serum Institute of India launches nationwide HPV-cancer public awareness campaign
Bengaluru The 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025' was formally launched in Bengaluru today, marking the beginning of a nationwide public health initiative by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The campaign aims to create widespread awareness about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to various types of cancers, including cervical cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Indian women. India continues to bear a significant burden of HPV-related diseases. According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), the country records over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. Additionally, around 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers are also linked to HPV infection. The Bengaluru conclave brought together prominent healthcare experts who discussed the far-reaching implications of HPV and underlined the importance of early vaccination, education, and community engagement. Panelists included Dr. Chidananda N. K., Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Allergist at Chiguru Child Care Centre; Dr. Prashanth M. V., Neonatologist and Pediatric Allergy Specialist; Dr. Shobha K., HOD of Gynecological Oncology at KIDWAI Memorial Institute of Oncology; and Dr. Rajini Uday, HOD of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. The session was moderated by Dr. Bhaskar Shenoy, Head of Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, who also serves as Chairperson of PIDA 2025. Emphasizing the need for urgent action, Dr. Shenoy said, 'We need to reach both adolescents and their parents with accurate information. Early education and preventive vaccination can save thousands of lives each year. HPV is not just a women's issue—it's a public health issue that affects both genders.' Experts reiterated that HPV is responsible for cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx, impacting men and women alike. Since peak HPV infection occurs between the ages of 15 to 25, early intervention through vaccination and awareness campaigns is critical. With the availability of an affordable indigenous HPV vaccine, Cervavac, India now has a powerful tool to reduce the HPV-associated cancer burden. Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director of the Serum Institute of India, stated, 'Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of HPV and its link to cervical and other cancers. By engaging medical professionals, community workers, and the public, we're promoting early detection and proactive prevention.' The event concluded with a lively open forum discussion, reinforcing the campaign's core mission of empowering individuals and communities with knowledge and access to preventive healthcare. The initiative will continue to be rolled out across multiple Indian cities, building a platform for trusted medical voices to spread awareness and promote life-saving interventions. Serum Institute of India, headquartered in Pune, is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. Over the past five decades, it has played a pivotal role in developing and delivering affordable, high-quality vaccines. With the launch of Cervavac—India's first indigenously developed gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine—the institute continues to drive forward its mission of protecting lives globally. *Key HPV & Cervical Cancer Facts (India):* * Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer among Indian women. * Estimated women at risk (aged 15+): 511.4 million. * Annual new cervical cancer cases: 1,23,907. * Annual cervical cancer-related deaths: 77,348. The 'Conquer HPV & Cancer' campaign is a clarion call to prioritize preventive care and end the stigma surrounding HPV-related diseases.
United News of India
14-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
AP: Serum Institute launches nationwide HPV-Cancer public awareness campaign
Visakhapatnam, June 13 (UNI) : The 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025' was launched here on Friday as part of a nationwide public health initiative by Pune-based Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd, part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group is a global leader in vaccine manufacturing. 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. 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. Apart from this up to 90 percent of anal cancers & 63 percent of penile cancers are associated with HPV. At the Visakhapatnam event, a panel of medical specialists engaged in an in-depth discussion about the public health implications of HPV. The panel included Dr. Sunanda Rani Gutta – Director & Chief Consultant Gynaecologist, Nikitha Hospital, Visakhapatnam; Dr. Redla Vidya Rama – Prof. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Andhra Medical College and King George Hospital; Dr. Sai Sunil Kishore Manem – Chief Neonatologist, Medicover Hospital, Vizag. Associate Professor MIMS Medical College, Vizianagaram and Dr. Buddha Murali Santosh – MBBS, DNB, fellowship in Neonatology. Gold medalist. Neonatologist and Pediatrician at Motherly Women and Children Hospital, Vizag The session was moderated by Dr. Vani Isukapalli – Superintendent, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. President-IMA, Visakhapatnam. 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 emphasized 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 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. With an affordable HPV vaccine now available, it has become still more 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, Serum Institute of India. 'By bringing together medical experts, healthcare workers, and community members, the forum encourages open dialogue and practical steps toward early detection and prevention,' he said. The Visakhapatnam conclave concluded with an open dialogue involving audience members, reinforcing the broader goal of the campaign: to reduce the burden of preventable cancers through informed decision-making and community engagement. The initiative will continue in cities across the country in the coming months, creating platforms for credible voices in healthcare to educate and empower the public. UNI KNR SSP
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Medical conclave urges stronger push for gender-neutral HPV vaccine for boys
Pune: Boys, along with girls, must be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), doctors at the launch of the "Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025" last week said. Panelists said that govt backs vaccination for girls under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), but boys and men, who are carriers of the virus, are equally affected by HPV and cancer-causing HPV and hence must also be vaccinated. Speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the sexual organs, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. Medical director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital Dr Sanjay Lalwani, who anchored the panel discussion, said the indigenous vaccine, Cervavac, is effective, safe and affordable. He added, "It is a gender-neutral vaccine and boys must also get vaccinated. While women can be screened regularly through a pap smear test, as of now men do not have any screening programme. So, boys between the age of 9 and 14 years must also be vaccinated, just like girls." Vaccination can protect partners from HPV-related cancers in adult life. There is no specific way to test directly for HPV in men that is approved for clinical use. The American Sexual Health Association has observed that men are typically screened clinically with a visual inspection to check for lesions such as warts. While still not routinely done, anyone with a history of receptive anal sex may want to speak with his or her healthcare provider about having an anal pap test, the association said. Dr Meenu Agarwal, secretary-general of International Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, said, she sees young girls and women with genital warts and cervical cancer cases. "Now, when we go to the root of the problem, we realize that it is a sexually transmitted disease and that is the reason we need to vaccinate both boys and girls because we need to take care of the source of the spread." The rationale is to prevent different types of cancers that can occur in men as well, Dr Shirish Kankariya, former president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, said. Parag Deshmukh, executive director, Serum Institute of India said, "Conclaves across the country will help increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers." The conclave is part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the institute. 77k Cervical Cancer Deaths India bears a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in the country 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 Up to 90% of anal cancers & 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Men should also take HPV vaccine: Experts
Health experts said that males can spread human papillomavirus (HPV) to their female partners and are also at risk. While HPV is often associated with cervical cancer in women, it also causes several serious diseases in men, including penile cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer as well as genital warts. Panel of medical specialists took part in discussion on public health implications of HPV at the 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025' organised by the Serum Institute of India (SII). They advised routine screening tests to detect HPV-related disease early in girls. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. 'Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of HPV and its link to cervical and other cancers,' said Parag Deshmukh, executive director, SII. Experts said vaccinating boys and girls at young age can help strengthen their immune systems before they are exposed to the HPV virus.
