BENGALURU: According to a cancer study done across all major metros, Bengaluru records the highest incidence of cervical cancer with 19 in every one lakh women suffering from the disease. Chennai ranks second with 17 cases, followed by Delhi with 15 cases.
Of the 18,000 new cancer cases, around 2,000 to 3,000 with cervical cancer are seen at Government-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. “Of these cases, around 80% cases are at an advanced stage,” said Dr K.B. Linge Gowda, director, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. He feels Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccinations would be a possible solution. Despite the staggering figures, there is less awareness about HPV and its vaccination in the city. After Delhi, Tamil Nadu could soon become the second state in the country to launch the Human Papilloma Virus (6HPV) vaccine as a health programme for school children to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. But not much can be heard in this aspect from Karnataka. "This vaccination is expensive, but if they include it in the immunisation programme it will be effective in the long run and would make a huge difference in the rural and urban areas," Dr Lingegowda added.
The Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST) survey showed that an urban population of 80 per cent are aware of the vaccine against cervical cancer and can afford to take it and think it is safe –but only 18 per cent have actually taken it. Renowned ObGyn Dr Hema Divakar, who is the FOGSI Ambassador to FIGO (Federation of International Gynaecologists and Obstetricians) feels that if young girls between the age group of 9-13 years can receive the vaccination against HPV a considerable percentage of cases can be reduced.
"With screening programmes not working, the only way to curb these staggering numbers is to educate families to get their children vaccinated. Ninety five per cent of the burden is reduced and the vaccination can arrest the HPV from reaching the cancerous stage,” Dr Hema said, who along with other experts is campaigning for the institutionalization of HPV vaccination.
What is HPV
‘HPV’ is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can cause genital warts and cancers. HPV can be avoided through vaccines. HPV vaccines are given in three shots over the course of six months. A routine screening of women aged between 21 and 65 can prevent cervical cancer, according to a guideline by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
