Cervical cancer is a significant problem for women in India, as it is the second most common cancer among them and contributes to one-fifth of the global burden. In 2020, Globocan estimated 1,23,907 cases and 77,348 deaths, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 18 per 1,00,000 women and a cumulative risk of 2.01%. The five-year relative survival rate of approximately 46% (range 34–60%) is much lower than that of other Asian countries. This is due to the fact that cervical cancer is usually diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to high mortality rates.
Cervical Cancer treatment in India
The main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV), along with several other factors that facilitate initiation and progression such as early age at coitarche, multiple sexual partners, multiple pregnancies, and associated sexually transmitted infections.
HPV 16 and 18 account for over 70% of invasive cervical cancers worldwide. In India, over 80% of cervical cancer and 63% of high-grade premalignant lesions are linked to HPV 16 and 18, which is higher than the global average. HPV vaccines can provide protection against these types.
Cervical cancer has a long pre-invasive phase that lasts for 10–15 years, providing an opportunity to detect and treat it in its pre-invasive stages through simple outpatient treatment modalities and early detection of cancers. Cervical cancer is curable when diagnosed early and treated optimally. The incidence and mortality of this disease are a reflection of the available resources and medical infrastructure for population-wide screening and treatment.
The key to eliminating cervical cancer is a comprehensive approach that includes HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions, as well as prompt treatment of cervical cancer. Dr. Rama Joshi, Principal Director and Head of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon, supports this approach.
In 2020, the World Health Organization launched the following strategy targets for the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030:
- 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15
- 70% of women screened with a high-performance test (such as the HPV test) by 35 and again by 45 years of age
- 90% of women identified with cervical precancer or invasive cancer receive adequate treatment and care
If these three pillars of elimination are established, India could eliminate cervical cancer by 2063 and halve mortality rates by 2036, preventing a total of 98,811 cervical cancer deaths.
Disclaimer: The veracity of any health claim made in the above article is the responsibility of the concerned doctor/hospital.
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