Tackling Cervical Cancer: HPV Vaccination and Regular Checkups
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health challenge in India, impacting women across a wide range of age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for nearly one-fourth of the global cervical cancer deaths. That’s a staggering number for a disease that is largely preventable through timely HPV vaccination and regular checkups. So, what is India doing to fight this growing concern? And why should every woman, and parent, pay attention? Let’s break it down. What Makes Cervical Cancer So Dangerous? Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the narrow passage that connects the uterus to the vagina. It is almost always caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 120,000 new cervical cancer cases are reported in India annually, and about 77,000 women die from it every year. The biggest issue? The early stages are usually...