Comments
India ranks fourth globally in cervical cancer incidence, with over 2.5 lakh active cases — a statistic frequently cited but with little tangible improvement on the ground. Despite extensive discourse on the subject, real change remains elusive, as efforts are often top-down and disconnected from the grassroots.
Cervical cancer in India is unfairly stigmatised, linked to moral judgement and sexual promiscuity, silencing conversations about sexual health. This leaves young women uninformed and hesitant to seek help. While societal attitudes are shifting, schools and colleges still focus narrowly on menstruation and pregnancy, neglecting crucial aspects of post-adolescent sexual wellness. A systemic, bottom-up approach is essential to empower women with knowledge and tools to combat this disease. Importantly, men must be encouraged to support women in prioritising their health and view themselves as part of the solution rather than just passive bystanders.
Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is highly transmissible and carried by men and women alike. A crucial need is to prioritise timely and regular screening in eligible women (ages 30-65 and from age 25 for those who are HIV positive). Screening for cervical cancer is recommended even if there are no symptoms and the woman is HPV vaccinated. Several international guidelines recommend HPV screening as the primary screening method in well-resourced settings. Also, the HPV vaccine remains underutilised.
Early awareness
By the time adolescents reach late teens or early 20s, it is often too late to impart critical knowledge about prevention, detection and cure. Social taboos and cultural guilt further suppress any desire for self-education, driving young people into a cycle of shame and ignorance.
Effective intervention must begin in schools, targeting adolescents aged 15-16. Schools and colleges must address sexual wellness. In addition to education, regular and timely HPV screenings and cytology-based tests should be integrated into college health programmes, fostering a culture of preventive health. For women who feel conscious, self-collection kits for HPV screening, which are affordable, can be offered.
India’s battle against cervical cancer requires more than just policy measures or isolated campaigns. The solution lies in a collective societal effort to break taboos and integrate sexual health education into school curriculums. Both men and women must be included in this fight, with a focus on regular screening in women and HPV vaccination as non-negotiable steps.
While experts and policymakers can provide guidance, the real change must come from families, educators, and communities working together to dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual health. Only then can we move beyond the statistics and ensure a healthier future for all.
(The writer is Managing Director, BD India-South Asia)
(Disclaimer: The BD portfolio includes diagnostic tests for cervical cancer)
Comments
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.