Cervical Cancer

Disease Burden of Cervical Cancer in India

• 72,825 Deaths Annually.
• Approx. 200 women die every day.
• Approx. 8 women die every hour.
• Every 7 minutes a women dies.

What is Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins when normal cells of the cervix undergo changes leading to abnormal growth. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer. Cervical cancer continues to be an important public health problem, being the second most common cancer among women in India and accounting for a quarter of the world's burden; even though preventable-by screening and treatment of precancerous lesions.

Although the rates have shown some decline, they are still markedly higher than in developed countries with established screening programs. Another unique feature of cervical cancer is its viral etiology. Since all cases of cervical cancer cannot be prevented by screening, these countries have sought to supplement the prevention effort by vaccinating young girls against infection with HPV virus, the necessary cause of cervical cancer.

Since the vaccine was introduced in 2006, over 175 million women have been vaccinated and 62 countries have included them in their national programs, including LMICs. Important bodies like US vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) agencies in UK, Europe, Australia, WHO etc are carrying out post marketing surveillance. Professional organisations like FIGO & IPV have put out statements on safety. Evaluation of thousands nay millions of girls in comprehensive meta-analysis have shown no increase in the risk of auto immune diseases, new onset problems, mortality, change in sociocultural attitudes etc that can be attributed to the vaccine. What has been documented is a decline in the HPV type 16 & 18 contained in the vaccine that are responsible for over 70% of cases of cervical cancer worldwide(85% of cases in India) along with reductions in high grade precancerous lesions, seen in populations in Australia & USA. The vaccines have shown to be safe, effective and highly immunogenic with potential to generate herd immunity and no indication yet for the need of a booster dose.

Screening will show its results here and now, vaccination in the future. There should be clear understanding that the two strategies are complementary to each other and are both required. In developing countries with good EPI infrastructure administering vaccines may be easier and more acceptable than establishing and promoting a culture of screening. Nevertheless both are required and no efforts should be spared to make girls and women aware of their rights to better health.

Undoubtedly, there will be improvements in the future. There will be better understanding of optimum doses, new vaccines will emerge, indigenous vaccines are being developed . For each year that will delay implementation of vaccination and screening thousands of women will pay the price with their lives. The time to act is now!

Cervical Cancer - It is preventable. It is treatable. It is time to eliminate it

WHO is working to elminate cervical cancer as a global public health problem.

The Problem - If we do not act, deaths from cervical cancer will rise by almost 50% by 2040

Each year, more than 300 000 women die of cervical cancer. More than half a million women are dianosed. Every minute, one woman is diagnosed. Cervical cancer is one of the greatest threats to women's health. Each death is a tragedy, and can be prevented. Most of these women are not diagnosed early enough, and lack access to life-saving treatment. Studies have shown that prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer are also highly cost-effective.

"Elimination of cervical cancer as a global health problem is within reach for all countries. We know what works, and we now need to scale up our actions to prevent and control this disease."

- Dr Princess Nono Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women, Children and Adolescents, WHO

What is WHO doing?

In May 2018, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a global call for action towards the elimination of cervical cancer. Currently, most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are diagnosed with advanced cancers, where opportunity for cure is small. This compounded by lack of access to life-saving treatment in settings where the burden and need is highest.

Now is the time for global elimination of cervical cancer.

Join us to eradicate cervical cancer in India. Do contact us at www.beautifultomorrow.org.in or madhu.1950@yahoo.com