Latest news with #HPV-related
Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
HPV Vaccine Not Just For Girls, Boys Should Get It Too: Doctor
1 2 Nagpur: "HPV vaccines are not only for girls. boys from 9 to 26 years of age should also take them. HPV isn't just about cervical cancer — it can cause many other cancers in both men and women," said Dr Sanjay Marathe, leading paediatrician and vaccination expert. He shared his views exclusively with TOI on the sidelines of the 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025'. Dr Marathe explained that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause five types of cancers in women — cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and throat (oropharynx). In men, it's linked to three types of cancers — penis, anus, and throat. "The good news is that HPV vaccines, once given properly, provide almost 100% protection against these cancers," Dr Marathe said. He pointed out that many organisations and NGOs are giving one dose of the HPV vaccine under CSR (corporate social responsibility) drives, especially in rural areas. "But people should remember that the second dose is equally important. It can be taken any time after six months of the first dose," he added. Currently, experts believe one dose might be enough in future if mass vaccination starts across India. "But till then, people should consult their doctors and complete both doses. Govt support is crucial for large-scale HPV vaccination," Dr Marathe said. Parag Deshmukh, executive director of Serum Institute of India, said the HPV vaccine available in India is "one of the best and most affordable in the world." He added, "It's made right here in India, making it accessible for our people." Highlighting women's health concerns, gynaecologist Dr Sangeeta Tajpuriya said, "Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women in India. Early vaccination can save thousands of lives." Dr Charu Baheti stressed the need for awareness among parents. "Parents must understand that HPV vaccines are safe and effective for boys and girls. Early vaccination before sexual exposure offers the best protection," she said. The conclave, organised by the Serum Institute of India, is part of a nationwide drive to spread awareness about HPV-related cancers and the benefits of vaccination. The campaign will continue in other cities in the coming months. HPV VACCINE IS GENDER NEUTRAL * Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd leading cause of female cancer in India * Women at risk of cervical cancer (aged over 15 yrs) is 5.14 crore * New cervical cancer cases annually: 1,23,907 * Annual cervical cancer deaths: 77,348
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Why is cancer becoming shockingly common among Indians in their 20s and 30s? Oncologists blame this virus
A growing number of cancer doctors in India are warning that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is quickly becoming a leading cause of cancer among young people in their twenties and thirties. Doctors say that more and more cases of cervical, oral, and throat cancers are being seen in younger patients, and many of them are linked to HPV infection. Experts are now urging the government to treat this as a preventable health crisis that needs urgent action. 'HPV Cancers Coming Earlier Than Ever' Speaking to PTI, Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, said, 'HPV-related cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see. Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical, oral, and throat cancers, many of which could have been avoided with timely vaccination and awareness.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchise Store, Up To 50% Off Original Adidas Shop Now Undo He added, 'The saddest part is, this is a preventable disease, but many people still don't know the risk.' HPV is one of the most common viruses passed on through intimate skin contact. While most HPV infections go away on their own, some types can stay in the body and cause cancer, especially cervical cancer in women, and throat and mouth cancers in both men and women. Live Events Silent and Fast-Spreading Doctors say the scary part is that these cancers often have no early symptoms. 'A young woman with no pain or bleeding might already have signs of cervical cancer,' said Dr Shubham Garg, Senior Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. 'Or a young man with HPV might not know anything is wrong until a tumour appears in the throat.' Experts also say that social stigma around HPV, which is sexually transmitted, is stopping families from talking about it or taking the vaccine seriously. Vaccination Is Key, But India Lags Behind India does not yet have a national HPV vaccination programme for all teenagers. The vaccine is available in private clinics, but many people can't afford it or don't know about it. Studies around the world have shown that giving the vaccine to both boys and girls before they become sexually active can stop the virus from spreading, and can hugely reduce cancer cases later in life. Doctors are calling for urgent steps: HPV vaccination for all pre-teens across India Catch-up vaccines for older teens and young adults Free or low-cost screening at public hospitals Public awareness campaigns to remove the stigma 'Let's Not Waste This Chance' Dr Gupta said, 'We must normalise HPV screenings like we do for diabetes or blood pressure. Pap smears, HPV DNA tests, and oral exams should be available in every district.' He also stressed the need for better insurance coverage. 'No one should skip a vaccine or test because of cost. These are preventable cancers . In oncology, we rarely get such a clear chance to stop a disease before it starts.' Dr Rahul Bhargava from Fortis Hospital in Gurugram added, 'Every child we vaccinate is one less person suffering from cancer in the future. Early screening can save lives. Prevention is not just better than cure here – it's the only smart way forward.' Inputs from PTI
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
HPV key factor for rise in cancer cases among Indian youth, say doctors
A growing number of oncologists across India have expressed concern over Human Papillomavirus (HPV) becoming a major contributing factor in the rise of cancers in young Indians, particularly among those in their twenties and thirties. With increasing cases of cervical, oral, and oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection, experts believe India is on the brink of a preventable cancer crisis if urgent measures are not implemented. Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, said, "HPV-related cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see. Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical, oral, and throat cancers -- many of which could have been avoided entirely with timely vaccination and proper awareness." "What's most heartbreaking is that HPV is preventable, yet many families and individuals are not even aware of the risk," Dr Gupta said. Unlike other cancers that develop over decades, HPV-related cancers in young people often progress rapidly and silently. Prevention through vaccination and early screening should be treated with the same urgency as any national health emergency. "We need a focused, stigma-free, countrywide campaign that reaches schools, colleges, and parents," Gupta said. The virus, which spreads primarily through intimate skin-to-skin contact, is known to be one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally. While the body clears most HPV infections on its own, certain high-risk strains can persist and lead to cancer. In women, it is the leading cause of cervical cancer, while in men and women alike, it is now strongly linked to oral, anal, and throat cancers. What troubles experts further is the lack of awareness and the social stigma that surrounds HPV discussions in India -- leading to poor vaccination rates and negligible screening coverage. Dr Shubham Garg, Senior Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital said, "HPV-related cancers don't give you many symptoms early on. That's why routine screening is so vital. A young woman with no symptoms may already have precancerous changes in the cervix. Similarly, oral HPV infections in men often go unnoticed until they present with full-blown tumors. Without education, vaccination, and routine checkups, we're allowing preventable cancers to spread unchecked." Currently, India does not have a national HPV vaccination program for all adolescents, although the vaccines are approved and available in private settings. Global studies have proven that vaccinating both boys and girls before they become sexually active significantly reduces HPV transmission and related cancers. Experts believe that adopting universal HPV immunization for preteens, along with catch-up vaccinations for older teens and young adults, is the most effective strategy to curb this epidemic. However, vaccination alone isn't enough. Dr Ashish Gupta further said that screening must become as commonplace and normalized as any other preventive health check. "Our focus must be twofold -- educate and empower. The stigma surrounding HPV has kept us silent for too long. We must normalize conversations about the virus and its connection to cancer. Pap smears, HPV DNA tests, and oral screenings should be accessible in every district hospital and primary health center, he said. Moreover, we need policies that include these services under national insurance schemes so that cost is never a barrier. We are not talking about an incurable disease. We are talking about a cancer that we can, in many cases, prevent before it even begins. That's a rare opportunity in oncology and one we must not waste," Dr Gupta added. Dr Rahul Bhargava, Senior Oncologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram concluded with a powerful reminder, "Every vaccinated child is one less cancer case in our future. Every screening that catches early-stage HPV impact is a life redirected toward health and hope. Let's not wait until it's too late. Prevention, in this case, is not just better than cure'?it's the only rational path forward. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
4 days ago
- Health
US cancer deaths decrease, but global cases expected to soar, new report warns
A sweeping new report from the American Cancer Society suggests cancer will likely be the leading cause of early deaths worldwide by 2050, with cases projected to rise by 74%. "This is because of population aging and growth," said Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of the Surveillance & Health Equity Science Department of the American Cancer Society and the chief editor of the report. In 2022, there were about 19 million new cancer cases worldwide. The United States made up 13% of those cases -- more than the combined share from Africa (6%), Latin America and the Caribbean (7%), and Oceania (less than 2%). Certain cancers in the U.S. are rising more than others. According to the report, lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer in the world, despite declining smoking rates. In the U.S., the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women was breast, while for men, it was prostate. Jemal pointed out that skin cancer is still the most common cancer in the U.S. overall. However, the report only included cases of melanoma, omitting other types that are not often accounted for in cancer registries. The number of young people diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S. is on the rise and quickly expanding, the report also noted. "We are seeing an increase in colon cancer in those born after 1950 and a decrease in the median age of diagnosis," said Jemal. More people are being diagnosed at younger ages and fewer people are being diagnosed at older ages due to early detection from colonoscopy screenings, he explained. "We don't know why, but there are suspected risk factors," he said. "One is obesity prevalence. Others are ultra processed foods and changes in the gut microbiome." Cancer is currently the leading cause of early deaths in the U.S., surpassing heart disease. However, not all groups are impacted equally. The report highlighted significant racial and geographic disparities. Black Americans have the highest cancer death rate of any racial/ethnic group and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of the disease. American Indians/Alaska Natives also experience worse outcomes -- this is still true when diagnosis stage and type of tumor are accounted for. The report suggested that this is driven by barriers like discrimination, cost, inadequate insurance, and less access to early detection and treatment options. People living in rural areas and southern states were also more likely to die from cancer, likely due to persistent poverty and obesity, as well as less access to screening and cancer specialists. Despite bleak statistics and predictions, the report contained some good news. Over the past 30 years, cancer deaths have decreased by 34% in the United States. Although the United States accounts for 1 in 6 cancer cases worldwide, it makes up just 7% of global cancer deaths, highlighting the country's strong detection and treatment efforts. Deaths from lung cancer and HPV-related cancers are also decreasing, the report noted, thanks to medical advances like the HPV vaccine and CT screening. Almost half of U.S. cancer deaths are due to modifiable risk factors like obesity, smoking and infection, the report estimated. Although smoking rates have decreased overall, there is still more work to be done. Tobacco is still potentially linked to about a third of cancer deaths. Jemal pointed to strong health promotion efforts, tobacco control and vaccination as making a big difference. "There is a huge opportunity to substantiality reduce the burden of cancer globally by focusing on primary prevention, which is underappreciated and underutilized," he said.
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.
