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New Delhi, April 22, 2025 — Cervical cancer continues to pose a grave threat to women’s health in India, with a woman succumbing to the disease every eight minutes, according to recent findings presented by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). At the 65th foundation day celebration held in New Delhi, health experts and officials emphasized the urgent need to classify cancer as a notifiable disease and enhance national cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Indigenous HPV Tests and Vaccines: A Game Changer
Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Professor and former Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AIIMS and Vice President of NAMS, highlighted the critical role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing in cervical cancer detection. While HPV testing is the primary diagnostic tool, its high cost has limited widespread use. To address this, India is developing indigenous HPV tests that are cost-effective, require minimal training, and use closed systems suitable for primary healthcare centers. These tests detect fewer genotypes but have been validated for accuracy and are expected to be integrated into the national cancer screening program soon.
Furthermore, the government is working towards incorporating HPV vaccines into the national immunization program. Health Minister JP Nadda recently informed the Lok Sabha that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended the vaccine’s inclusion. However, logistical challenges remain, especially regarding the choice between single-dose and double-dose regimens. Encouragingly, trials for a single-dose indigenous HPV vaccine are underway, with interim results expected in 2026 and final outcomes by 2027.
Screening and Early Detection: The Key to Prevention
Experts stress that all women above 30 years should undergo regular cervical cancer screening. Dr. Bhatla reassured that a positive HPV test does not mean immediate cancer but indicates potential risk, emphasizing that cervical cancer develops slowly through a precancerous phase and is highly preventable and treatable if detected early.
The goal is to achieve the World Health Organization’s 90:70:90 targets by 2030 — 90% vaccination coverage, 70% screening coverage, and 90% timely treatment for diagnosed cases — to reduce cervical cancer incidence to fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women annually.
Breast Cancer: Another Growing Concern
Alongside cervical cancer, breast cancer remains the leading cancer among Indian women. The incidence of breast cancer has surged by nearly 50% between 1965 and 1985, now accounting for 13.5% of all cancers and 10.6% of cancer-related deaths in the country. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every four minutes in India.
The NAMS task force’s review of breast cancer care revealed significant gaps in diagnostic services and treatment availability, including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies. The experts called for urgent strengthening of healthcare infrastructure and the launch of a national screening program focused on early detection.
Cancer as a Notifiable Disease: Enhancing Surveillance and Policy
One of the key recommendations from the task force is to designate cancer as a notifiable disease. This would mandate reporting of cancer cases to public health authorities, enabling better surveillance, timely investigation, and more effective policy responses. Improved cancer registry networks are also critical to understanding disease patterns and allocating resources efficiently.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by the National Academy of Medical Sciences and related health authorities as of April 2025. The data and recommendations are subject to ongoing research and policy developments. Readers are advised to consult healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice.
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