Latest news with #ConquerHPVandCancerConclave2025
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Doctors come together in Bengaluru to create awareness about HPV associated cancers
City-based oncologists and paediatricians came together on a common platform on Tuesday to discuss the public health implications of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The doctors, who participated in 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025' in Bengaluru, emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women. The speakers highlighted the pressing need for awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents, and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care. 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 easier to protect every individual from HPV associated cancers, the doctors said. Moderated by Bhaskar Shenoy, head of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division at Manipal Hospitals, the conclave was held 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. According to the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (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% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV. 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, the organisers said.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
HPV-related cancer can affect men too, say doctors
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease, particularly cervical cancer, is the second highest cause of cancer among women in India. Cervical cancer is preventable with timely vaccination and screening. Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness, high vaccine cost and limited access, vaccination in India is very low at 1%, said doctors at the 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025' organised by Serum Institute of India, here, on Friday. HPV vaccination is equally important for men too, as they can turn out to be silent carriers and transmit the disease to their sexual partner in later life, said the doctors. Dr. I. Vani, Superintendent, King George Hospital (KGH); Dr. R. Vidya Rama, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Andhra Medical College (AMC); Dr. Sunanda Rani Gutta, Director and Chief Consultant Gyneacologist of Nikitha Hospital; Dr. Sai Sunil Kishore Manem, Chief Neonatologist, Medicover Hospital; Dr. Buddha Murali Santosh, Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Motherly Women and Children Hospital, Vizag, were among those who participated in the programme. Dr. Vidya Rama and Dr. Sunanda Rani explained that the age group of 9 to 15 was the best time for the administration of HPV vaccine for both girls and boys. Though the earlier vaccine (imported) was available for over 15 years in India, the poor compliance could be attributed to the lack of awareness, high cost and other factors. 'Indigenous vaccine' Now, an indigenous vaccine (cervavac), brought out by Serum Institute of India, was available at a lower cost. While HPV is commonly associated with cervical cancer in women, it also causes serious diseases in men, including penile cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and genital warts. Unlike girls, for whom routine screening tests are available to detect early signs of HPV-related diseases, no such screening is available for men, hence prevention is crucial here, the doctors said. Dr. Sunanda Rani said that another advantage of vaccination was that herd immunity would develop when the maximum number of people were administered with the vaccine. She reminded of the slogan: 'Do teeke zindagi ki' (two vaccine doses for life) to create awareness on the need to take two doses of the vaccine for those in the target group. 'Highly effective' Dr. Vani said that the HPV vaccine was effective up to 98%. She hoped that with the indigenous vaccine and low cost, the vaccination rate would increase to at least 90%. She said that FOGSI (Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India) has appealed to the Government of India to make HPV vaccination a part of the universal immunisation programme and the government was said to be considering it.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Doctors raise the importance of HPV vaccination to prevent cervical and a few other cancers
Vaccinating girls aged nine to 14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is crucial for prevention of cervical cancers and a few other cancers. But equally important is vaccinating boys against HPV for a number of reasons, according to doctors. There are three reasons why boys should also be vaccinated against HPV, Jayashree N., gynaecologic oncologist and associate professor, Cancer Institute (WIA), said. 'First, it can cause cancers in men too. Secondly, they could transmit the virus to women, and thirdly, there is no screening test for men.' Somu Sivabalan, consultant Paediatrician and Pulmonologist, Rainbow Children's Hospital, explained that HPV being a sexually transmitted infection, it could spread from men. It could cause genital warts and precancerous changes. 'The primary target for HPV vaccination are girls aged nine to 14. Boys of the same age group are the secondary target for the vaccination,' he said. The doctors, who spoke at 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025', stressed that HPV was not limited to cervical cancer alone. It was associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus in women and cancers of the penis, anus and oropharynx in men. The conclave was organised in Chennai on Tuesday as a part of a nationwide public health initiative led by Serum Institute of India. Dr. Jayashree said that vaccination and screening are the two pillars to prevent cervical cancers. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America as well as European countries had an HPV vaccination programme as a result of which the incidence of cervical cancers has reduced, she said. Discussing the safety of the vaccine, Dr. Jayashree noted that Cancer Institute had administered 3,500 doses of the vaccine so far, and there had been no side effects. B. Sarath Balaji, senior Paediatric Pulmonologist and associate professor, Institute of Child Health, said that except for mild pain, redness in the site and mild fever, there had been no major side effects. He added that there was greater awareness among parents in cities about the vaccine. S. Vijaya, head of department and professor, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, stressed the importance of taking time to counsel parents about the importance of the vaccine. Members of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India were involved in creating awareness and training for doctors. Kavitha Sukumar, associate professor, Surgical Oncology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said screening for cervical cancer is simple. 'We have HPV DNA testing and pap smear. Now, self testing kits are also available,' she said.
