Cervical Cancer Prevention Efforts in India

Abstract

Purpose Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers among women in India. Its prevention and control require a concerted effort to improve awareness among women regarding primary and secondary prevention strategies as well as access to care for treatment and palliation. A focused strategy is important to reach the World Health Organization’s targets for cervical cancer elimination, due to be completed by 2030. Methods Currently available literature was reviewed regarding cervical cancer prevention strategies in India including various national programmes and other initiatives on the part of government, non-governmental organizations and professional organizations. Their applicability to the present situation was assessed. Results National programmes need to build on success stories of various states and neighbouring countries as well as to audit the performance. Strengthening of cancer registries and improvement of linkages between different healthcare levels with incorporation of task-shifting, adding digital technology and supporting programmes that promote women’s welfare and health will also provide synergy to cancer control programmes. In the current pandemic era, HPV self-sampling can be an ideal method for screening. The development of an affordable, point-of-care HPV test is urgently needed to facilitate its introduction in low- and middle-income countries. HPV vaccination efforts need to be speeded up. Conclusion Scaling up of cervical cancer prevention with inclusion of widespread HPV vaccination and primary HPV test should be the new standard of care.

Serum Lysyl Oxidase Levels and Lysyl Oxidase Gene Polymorphism in Ovarian Cancer Patients of Eastern Indian Population

“…The clinico-demographic details were obtained from all the participants based on the questionnaire, data were analyzed and presented in Table 1 . Most of the study participants, i.e., 45 (54%) of the cases and 41 (48%) of the control group, belonged to low socio-economic status as per the income, occupation, and education [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Postmenopausal women were more predominant, in both case and control groups, i.e., 44 (53%) and 47 (55%), respectively.…”

“…This study was approved by the institute ethics review board i.e., Institute Ethics Committee, AIIMS Bhubaneswar (T/IM-F/17–18/1 dt 01/09/2017) and samples collected after informed written consent was taken. Clinico demographic details were obtained as per the questionnaire prepared and self-reported responses of the participants were recorded [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Five ml of venous blood sample was collected by a certified phlebotomist, two ml of which was kept in a sterile vial for biochemical analysis and serum Lysyl oxidase (LOX) estimation.…”

Cervical cancer elimination in Indian context: Moving from barriers to facilitators

“…Indigenous innovations like portable colposcopes, thermal ablators, and HPV testing kits will further facilitate screening uptake 34 . Recently, a cartridge‐based nucleic acid amplification testing system was distributed to many government hospitals and government‐empaneled testing centers, 20 which can also be a promising assay for HPV testing 35 . The introduction of nucleic acid amplification testing at district/subdistrict hospitals and community health centers under the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative scheme can also facilitate HPV testing 19…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening among Reproductive Age Group Women: Evidence from Cross-Sectional Study in Rohtak and Delhi

“…In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for universal human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, screening, early detection, and treatment of cervical pre-cancer and cancer to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern (Bhatla et al, 2021;World Health Organization, 2017). In 1976, the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) was established in India.…”

“…In 1976, the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) was established in India. The major goal was to prevent malignancies via health education; secondary goals included screening for cervical, oral, and breast cancers, improving existing cancer treatment facilities, and providing palliative care to patients at the end of their lives (Bhatla et al, 2021). The first step in reducing the burden of cervical and breast cancers is to conduct effective screening (Monica and Mishra, 2020).…”