Category: cancer care

“World Cancer Day” Dr Ashu shah (Director of Asian Health care & founder of ASC Foundation )appeals Government of India for Free Mammogram & Free Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for all to Close The Care Gap .

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4th Feb is World Cancer Day and this year’s theme is ‘ Close The Care Gap’ … realising People living with cancer regardless of race ,gender, ethicinity socioeconomic status ,new technologies of cancer therapies should be accessible and affordable for everyone .

For all of these reasons, the theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “closing the care gap

Closing The care gap

Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise worldwide attention and inspire action for a cancer-free population.

we are stronger together ! Supporting the FiGHTERS , admiring the SURVIVORS ,
honoring the Taken and never giving up hope !

Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death, and its burden is growing. In 2021, the world crossed a new threshold – an estimated 20 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and 10 million died. These numbers will continue to rise in the decades ahead. And yet all cancers can be treated, and many can be prevented . Cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early.

Cancer can be eradicated through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment and care of patients who develop cancer.

Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Said Dr Ashu shah Director of Asian Health care .

She said our ASC Foundation efforts are focused on breast cancer , cervical cancer, Lung cancer and childhood cancer . All cancer can be eliminated easily by early detection and screening. Dr Ashu shah said solutions are complex which is why we are glad to partner with Intass oncology to raise awareness and address these challenges .

There are two components of Early detection :

Early cancer is more likely to respond to treatment and can result in a greater probability of survival and less morbidity, as well as less physical ,mental and financial suffering.
Early detection of Cancer can also reduces Chances of serious and more painful therapies that are needed in later stages .

There are two major enabling factors for early detection .

1 Education and Awareness to promote early diagnosis.

2.Screening tests to detect them early .

Screening is the basic important element of comprehensive cancer prevention and control but decisions on what to include in a cancer programme

I always emphasize that The best examiners are You in You.
It is said to notice symptoms like lump in the breasts . Unfortunately it is presented at late stages . It is time to wake up.The best time to examine your breast every month is immediately after your periods .

This World Cancer Day , my appeal / request to GOI ( Govt . Of India ) is to provide Free Mammogram and HPV ( Human papillomavirus virus ) vaccination to all and It is high time our leaders should raise the awareness and provide free Mammogram facility in all Government hospitals instead of women getting it done at private hospitals as most of them are not in a position to pay .

Mainly the government hospitals should have free mammogram facilities to all which helps in curbing this dreaded disease with earlier detection.

We are now in an age where new technology and care counter cancer’s fatality

Let us pledge to create awareness and unite in this fight against cancers and close the care gap!

worldcancerday #CloseTheGap #WHO

GOI #NarendraModi #PMO #ashushah #breastcancer #cervixcancer

ascfoundation #cancer #Earlydetectionsaveslives


To reach for help on http://www.ashushahcancerfoundation.org

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Cancer-screening data at NURA reveals a high rate of cervical and breast cancer abnormalities in healthy women.

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Preventive health screening among healthy and asymptomatic individuals is important, as survival rate of cancer patients detected in stage 1 is as high as 93% whereas it is only 24% if detected in stage 4
Anomalies for cervical cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer are most commonly detected during preventive health screening

BENGALURU / February 3, 2022: One in every four healthy women in India carry anomalies that may develop into cervical cancer, and one in every five women for breast cancer. These findings are based on data of 2,400 healthy individuals who underwent cancer screening in the last 10 months at NURA, a collaboration between Fujifilm Healthcare and Dr Kutty’s Healthcare offering AI-enabled imaging and expert healthcare at Bengaluru. Analysing the screening tests, the NURA doctors found that 1 in 20 healthy people show anomalies in lungs that may go on to develop into lung cancer, while 1 in 50 show anomalies for colon and prostate cancer. These anomalies must be investigated further through a biopsy to take precautionary measures against cancer.

Said Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi, Medical Director, NURA: “After screening 2,400 healthy individuals for cancer over the last 10 months at at NURA, we found an anomaly rate ranging from 24% for cervical cancer to 20% for breast cancer, 5-6% for lung cancer and 2-3% for colon and prostate cancer. Indians suffer from cancer-phobia. Despite huge advancements in healthcare, a misconception persists that cancer cannot be treated. The reality is that cancer is easily treatable if detected early. Survival rate of cancer patients detected in stage 1 is 93% whereas it is only 24% if detected in stage 4. This shows why healthy and asymptomatic individuals must undergo preventive cancer screening every year and not wait for symptoms to appear. However, in India, cancer tends to be detected in more advanced stages. Cancer found in early-stage accounts for only a small percentage of patients, so the death rate remains high.”

He added: “The best time to screen for cancer is when you’re healthy. Periodic screening is recommended for those who have a stressful and busy lifestyle, go on frequent business trips, and suffer from lack of sleep and exercise. People with a family history of cancer and lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking or excessive drinking can benefit greatly from early and periodic health screening. At NURA, the most common anomalies we find among healthy people related to breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer.”

A screening test is meant for healthy, asymptomatic people and can be done voluntarily. It is used to identify a health problem at an early stage, making treatment easier. Said Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi said: “Screening helps you identify previously unrecognised health risks. Finding them at an early stage allows you to modify your lifestyle and prevent lifestyle diseases. In the case of cancers, finding them early gives you the best chance of receiving effective treatment. Japan is a great example of why early detection works. Life expectancy in Japan is the longest in the world, thanks in part to their tradition of periodic screening. Cancers in Japan are usually detected at an early stage, giving those diagnosed with it the best chance at receiving effective treatment.”

The mortality rate for the top 10 cancers in India is approximately 70%. In fact, cancer is the second most common cause of death in India after cardiovascular disease. One in nine Indians will go on to develop cancer during their lifetime.

At NURA, cancer screening is done through radiology or image-based technology, along with support of artificial intelligence (Ai) software for higher efficiency and lowest possible radiation. The equipment used for cancer screening includes ultra-low dose CT scan for lung cancer detection instead of X-ray, which makes our screening quite sensitive and accurate, colposcope for cervical cancer; optical instrument called Oralook for oral cancer; nasal endoscopy for stomach cancer; fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer; and 3D – Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography for breast cancer. All the images taken through the equipment are processed through Ai software and any abnormalities get highlighted in the image.

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One in every five women in India carry anomalies in breasts, data from breast-cancer screening at NURA shows

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·         The incidence of breast anomalies for Indian women is double the global average

·         These anomalies or abnormalities, though usually harmless, carry the potential of developing into life-threatening cancers

·         Many women tend to avoid breast screening due to psycho-social barriers

BENGALURU / October 27, 2021: One in every five healthy women in India carry anomalies in their breasts that, though usually harmless, carry the potential of developing into life-threatening cancers. The findings are based on data of around 200 healthy women who underwent breast-cancer screening in the last few months at NURA, a collaboration between Fujifilm Healthcare and Dr Kutty’s Healthcare offering AI-enabled imaging and expert healthcare at Bengaluru.

Said Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi, Medical Director, NURA: “The figure of breast anomalies for Indian women is double the global average of one in ten. It is important that these anomalies are detected in time by advanced diagnostic equipment during preventive check-ups and further follow-ups conducted to gauge the actual risk to the woman. Yet, many women tend to avoid breast screening due to psycho-social barriers, including embarrassment at discussing the issue of breast cancer, fear of pain while undergoing a mammogram and anxiety at the possibility of finding something adverse. Many assume that breast cancer screening is needed only for older women.”

Breast cancer is ranked as the most common cancer among Indian females, with an incidence of 25.8 and mortality of 12.7 per 100,000 women. The city wise incidence per 100,000 women varies from 41 in Delhi to 37.9 in Chennai and 34.4 in Bengaluru. Over the last 30 years, Bengaluru has seen the highest rate of increase in the incidence of breast cancer at 2.84%, compared to 1.44% for Delhi, 1.42% for Mumbai and 2.44% for Chennai[1].

Said Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi: “It is recommended that women above 45 years should be screened with mammography once a year. Women between 40 to 44 years should also do the same as a matter of choice. Younger women can do the screening if they have a family history or if they find any suspicious lumps in the breast. As a choice, younger women can get a mammogram done once every 2 years.”

He added: “Death rate due to breast cancer increases drastically if it is not detected in time. The mortality-to-incidence ratio in rural areas for breast cancer is 66% due to late detection, compared to only 8% in urban areas where people are more aware and the disease is detected early. Timely detection is important because while the five-year survival rate of breast cancer patients is 100% in Stage 1 of the disease, it reduces to just 22% in stage 4. The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed after age 50. Other risk factors that one can change with appropriate behaviour include not being physically active, being overweight or obese after menopause, taking hormones or certain birth control pills, having first pregnancy after the age of 30, not breastfeeding and drinking alcohol.”

Mammogram, an X-ray of the breast, remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening. However, it is generally a painful procedure as the breast is compressed between two plates for about 15 to 20 minutes. Other tests done for breast cancer screening include a breast exam conducted by the doctor, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and biopsy which is the only definitive way to make a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Talking about breast-cancer screening at NURA, Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi said: “The gold standard for diagnosing breast cancer is a mammogram, but many women hesitate to take it as it is often painful. At NURA, our sweet-fit paddle technology allows women to experience the mammogram with the least amount of pain and help screen for breast cancer. We use 3D tomosynthesis process for mammography. The images are intelligently reconstructed to create a 3D model that allows doctors to make quick and accurate diagnoses. The 3D tomographic images make it easier to identify abnormalities when compared to regular mammography, where the overlapping breast structures make it harder to identify an abnormality. The sophisticated artificial-intelligence software at NURA acts as a strong assisting tool for our doctors to make their interpretation more precise and accurate.”

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ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಿದವರನ್ನು ಫೋರ್ಟೀಸ್ ಜೊತೆ ಸೇರಿಸಿದೆ, ಅವರ ಆಶಾಕಿರಣ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂತಸದ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ!

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ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 04, 2021: ವಿಶ್ವ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ದಿನಾಚರಣೆ ದಿನದಂದು (ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 4 ರಂದು) ಫೋರ್ಟೀಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಇನ್ಸ್‌ಸ್ಟಿಟ್ಯೂಟ್ ಒಂದು ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಪ್ರಸಕ್ತವಾಗಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ನಿಂದ ಗುಣಮುಖ ಹೊಂದಿರುವವರ ಸಂಭ್ರಮವನ್ನಾಚರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸ್‌ನಿಂದ ಗುಣಮುಖ ಹೊಂದಿದವರಿಗಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಆರೈಕೆ ನೀಡಿದ ಸಹಾಯಕರಿಗಾಗಿ ಅನೇಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಫೋರ್ಟೀಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿರುವ ಬೆಂಬಲಿತ ಗುಂಪಿನ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಆಶಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.
ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಿ ಧೈರ್ಯ ತೋರಿಸಿದವರನ್ನು ಸಂಭ್ರಮಿಸುವ ಸ್ಥಳವೇ ಆಶಾ ಆಗಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಸತಾಗಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ಗೆ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುವವರಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೇರಣೆ ಸಿಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಆಶಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಡಾಕ್ಟರರು, ಬೆಂಬಲಿತ ಗುಂಪು ಮತ್ತು ರೋಗ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆದು ಗೆದ್ದವರ ನಡುವೆ 90 ನಿಮಿಷಗಳ ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಸ್ಪಂಧನಾತ್ಮಕ ಅಧಿವೇಶನವೊಂದನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಇದಾದ ಬಳಿಕ ಯೋಗ ಅಧಿವೇಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರ ಆಹಾರ ಸೇವನೆ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ ಕುರಿತಂತೆ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಕೊನೆಯದಾಗಿ ಕೆಲವೊಂದು ಸಂಗೀತ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಕೂಡಾ ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಆ ಅಧಿವೇಶನದ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ ಬೆಂಬಲಿತ ಗುಂಪು ಮತ್ತು ರೋಗ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆದು ಗೆದ್ದವರು ಯಾವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ತಮ್ಮ ಅನುಭವ ನೀಡಿದರು ಮತ್ತು ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುವವರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೇರಣೆ ನೀಡುವಂತಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆಶಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಸಿಕ ಆಧಾರದಂತೆ ಇಂತಹ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿ ತಿಂಗಳೂ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ರೋಗಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕರೆಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರಿಗಾಗಿ ಯೋಗ/ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಕ್ ಸೆಶನ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು.
ಫೋರ್ಟೀಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಇನ್ಸ್‌ಸ್ಟಿಟ್ಯೂಟ್‌ನ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಓಂಕೋಲಜಿ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಮಾಟೋ-ಓಂಕೋಲಜಿಯ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾದ ಡಾ. ನೀತಿ ರಾಯಿಜಾದಾ ಅವರು ಹೀಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ “ವಿಶ್ವ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ದಿನಾಚರಣೆಯ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಫೋರ್ಟೀಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿರುವ ಆಶಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರವನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಲು ನನಗೆ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ನಿವಾರಣೆಗೆ ಬೆಂಬಲಿಸುವ ಈ ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಿ ಗೆದ್ದವರು ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಸತಾಗಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ಗೆ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವವರಿಗಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ವೇದಿಕೆಯಂತೆ ಪಾತ್ರ ವಹಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಯೋಗ ಸೆಶನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರ ಆಹಾರ ಸೇವನೆ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನ ಸೆಶನ್‌ಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರವಾಗಿ ಜೀವಿಸಬೇಕಾಗಿರುವ ಪ್ರಾಮುಖ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಇದಲ್ಲದೆ, ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ಗೆ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆದು ಗುಣಮುಖ ಹೊಂದಿರುವವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಬೇಕು ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಸಕ್ತವಾಗಿ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ರೋಗಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಆರೈಕೆ ಸಹಾಯಕರಿದೆ ಸ್ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರೇರಣೆ ನೀಡಬೇಕೆಂದು ನಾವು ವಿನಂತಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ.”
ಈ ಹೊಸ ಕ್ರಮದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಡಿಪಾರ್ಟ್‌ಮೆಂಟ್ ಆಫ್ ಯೂರೋಲಜಿ, ಯೂರೋಲಜಿ, ಯೂರೋ-ಓಂಕೋಲಜಿ, ಅಂಡ್ರೋಲಜಿ – ಟ್ರಾನ್ಸ್‌ಪ್ಲಾಂಟ್ ಮತ್ತು ರೋಬೋಟಿಕ್ ಸರ್ಜರಿಯ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾದ ಡಾ ಮೋಹನ್ ಕೇಶವಮೂರ್ತಿ ಅವರು ಹೀಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ. “ನಮ್ಮ ರೋಗಿಗಳು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಗುಣಮುಖರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದು ತುಂಬಾ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆಶಾ ಮೂಲಕ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ರೋಗಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರುಗಳು ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಮುಕ್ತವಾದ ಆರೋಗ್ಯಕರ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಯುವುದು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ನಾವು ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ರೋಗಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ರೋಗದಿಂದ ಗುಣಮುಖರಾದವರಲ್ಲು ಒಂದೇ ವೇದಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದಾಗಿ, ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಪಡೆದವರಿಗೆ ಇದು ಪ್ರೇರಣೆಯಾಗಲಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೋರಾಡಲು ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಸ್ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಸಿಗುತ್ತದೆ.”
ಯೋಗ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಗೀತ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯ ಪ್ರಾಮುಖ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿ ಹೇಳುವುದು ಕೂಡಾ ಈ ಸೆಶನ್‌ನ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿದೆ.

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Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer

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Contributed by Dr. Abhilasha Narayan, Consultant Gynaec Oncologist, HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in India. Cervix is nothing but the mouth of uterus or the womb. Around 20% of total cancers in women in India is Cervical cancer. The WHO estimated 5,30,000 new cases of cervical cancer globally (estimates for 2012), with approximately 2,70,000 deaths, representing 7.5% of all female cancer deaths. That is why there is a need to worry and take some preventive actions.

We do not find the cause in most of the cancers. So, the approach is only targeted at treating the disease and not in prevention. But this is not the case in cervical cancer. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is identified as the causative factor in more than 90% cases of cervical cancer. It is usually sexually transmitted. WHO terms cervical cancer as a sexually transmitted preventable disease.

More than 100 types of Human Papilloma Virus have been identified. Those with cancer causing potential (High risk types) are linked with majority of cervical, vulval, vaginal, anal and oropharyngeal cancers. They are generally acquired through sexual contact. About 15 high risk types have been identified.
HPV 16, 18 type are implicated in 70% of cervical cancer.

Sexually active women exposed to HPV infection clear the virus in 90% of the cases within 2 years probably by virtue of their own immune mechanisms. It means majority of the infected women do not develop cervical cancer. But only a small proportion of persistent infection by a high-risk HPV leads to development of precancerous condition which may progress eventually to cervical cancer. There are certain other risk factors associated with cancer development like tobacco use, early sexual activity, early age at pregnancy, multiparity, having other sexual transmitted infections, immunocompromised conditions etc.

Prevention started with regular screening with Pap smears, which is a small procedure where in a sample is taken by the doctor from the woman s cervix for testing. This may cause discomfort in some but usually gets done quickly in majority without any pain or discomfort. This provides a valuable protection for women against cervical cancer by early detection and subsequent treatment of HPV related changes/precancerous conditions which in turn will prevent cervical cancer in the long run. Every sexually active woman should start screening by the age of 21 to 25 years and continue screening every 3 years once till 65 years of age.

But, the development of the HPV vaccine has further improved the opportunities to effectively combat this disease. Best time for vaccination is prior to sexual activity.
Vaccination can be started as early as 9years, with catch up vaccination till 26 years age. Sexually active women also may get vaccinated as it may still provide some protection and it is globally approved for usage till 45 years of age. Cervarix and Gardasil are the two currently available vaccines in India which is administered either as a 2 or 3 dose schedule depending on the age. Many studies have shown strong evidence of efficacy of these vaccines.

We should all join hands as individuals and as a nation and be a part of a global campaign against cervical cancer by promoting regular screening and vaccination programs. Government should strategize and work towards implementation of national vaccination policy against cervical cancer.

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