Latest news with #ConquerHPVandCancerConclave
The Hindu
4 days 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.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Serum Institute of India holds 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave' in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam: Serum Institute of India (SII) held the ' Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave ' in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to spread awareness regarding the sexually transmitted infection Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Dr B. Murli Santosh, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, attended the conclave on Friday. Speaking to reporters, he said, "...Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women, not only Indian women, across the globe, and annually, as per the statistics, close to 1,00,000 deaths are reported in India." Emphasising the HPV vaccine, he added, "So one thing that the public needs to know is that there is a vaccine by which we can prevent this cancer and which has been readily available for the last 10 to 15 years. But the problem in India is that the awareness among the public... various reasons, cost constraints, or various misconceptions. The amount of vaccinations which the public are getting is very less. Now we are having Indian-made vaccines which are easily available and cost-effective. And once we can effectively vaccinate, this cancer is almost hundred per cent preventable. So, most of the time, we recommend early-age vaccinations, preferably at 9 to 14 years, in which they receive two doses, and at 15 to 45 years, in which they receive three doses. And once they receive the vaccination, most of the time they get 99% to 100% protection against these cancers." Speaking to ANI, Dr R Vidya Rama, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Andhra Medical College and the visiting consultant, Medicover Women and Child Hospitals, said, "We have gathered here to talk about HPV vaccination . What are the recent changes in HPV vaccination? Previously this vaccination was advocated for girls to prevent cervical cancer, but now it's been proven that HPV is not only for cervical cancer but also for cancers in men, it is penile cancer, and it is also a cause for anal cancers and oropharyngeal cancers in both men and women." Elaborating on vaccination, Dr Rama said, "So ideally, the vaccination to prevent these cancers should be given before sexual exposure. The best time to take the vaccine is between 9 and 14 years. When the immune response and protection will be maximum, and only two doses would be enough. But, if the girls and boys miss out their vaccination at the age below 15 years, they can take the vaccination even after 15 years. Previously, we had a vaccine made by an MNC only, which is a very effective and safe vaccine, but the only disadvantage with that particular vaccine is costly. Now we have a vaccine, a quadrivalent vaccine, which has been made by the Serum Institute of biggest advantage is we have a vaccine which comes with a very affordable cost that is very important for our country to protect our girls and boys with a vaccine." SII, in collaboration with India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), recently developed India's first indigenous gender neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac. The medical firm is holding a nationwide conclave to spread awareness regarding the vaccine.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Serum Institute of India holds 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave' in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 14 (ANI): Serum Institute of India (SII) held the 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave' in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to spread awareness regarding the sexually transmitted infection Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Dr B. Murli Santosh, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, attended the conclave on Friday. Speaking to reporters, he said, '...Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women, not only Indian women, across the globe, and annually, as per the statistics, close to 1,00,000 deaths are reported in India.' Emphasising the HPV vaccine, he added, 'So one thing that the public needs to know is that there is a vaccine by which we can prevent this cancer and which has been readily available for the last 10 to 15 years. But the problem in India is that the awareness among the public... various reasons, cost constraints, or various misconceptions. The amount of vaccinations which the public are getting is very less. Now we are having Indian-made vaccines which are easily available and cost-effective. And once we can effectively vaccinate, this cancer is almost hundred per cent preventable. So, most of the time, we recommend early-age vaccinations, preferably at 9 to 14 years, in which they receive two doses, and at 15 to 45 years, in which they receive three doses. And once they receive the vaccination, most of the time they get 99% to 100% protection against these cancers.' Speaking to ANI, Dr R Vidya Rama, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Andhra Medical College and the visiting consultant, Medicover Women and Child Hospitals, said, 'We have gathered here to talk about HPV vaccination. What are the recent changes in HPV vaccination? Previously this vaccination was advocated for girls to prevent cervical cancer, but now it's been proven that HPV is not only for cervical cancer but also for cancers in men, it is penile cancer, and it is also a cause for anal cancers and oropharyngeal cancers in both men and women.' Elaborating on vaccination, Dr Rama said, 'So ideally, the vaccination to prevent these cancers should be given before sexual exposure. The best time to take the vaccine is between 9 and 14 years. When the immune response and protection will be maximum, and only two doses would be enough. But, if the girls and boys miss out their vaccination at the age below 15 years, they can take the vaccination even after 15 years. Previously, we had a vaccine made by an MNC only, which is a very effective and safe vaccine, but the only disadvantage with that particular vaccine is costly. Now we have a vaccine, a quadrivalent vaccine, which has been made by the Serum Institute of biggest advantage is we have a vaccine which comes with a very affordable cost that is very important for our country to protect our girls and boys with a vaccine.' SII, in collaboration with India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), recently developed India's first indigenous gender neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac. The medical firm is holding a nationwide conclave to spread awareness regarding the vaccine. (ANI)
