Mumbai, Feb 3: The demise of actor-model Poonam Pandey, due to cervical cancer a day after the government's push in the Budget to vaccinate girls in the 9-14 age group, has brought attention to the disease, which exhibits a high mortality rate.
Poonam Pandey, famed for her role in the 2013 movie 'Nasha,' received a diagnosis of the last stage of cervical cancer, as revealed by her manager. The challenge of early detection is a significant factor contributing to the elevated death rate in India.
Cervical cancer, primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse, is a form of cancer affecting the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the uterus connecting to the vagina. The leading cause is the human papilloma virus (HPV), easily transmitted during sex with no immediate symptoms. Symptoms may take years to manifest after exposure to someone carrying an HPV infection, making timely detection challenging.
In India, cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer among women after breast cancer, predominantly affecting middle-aged women. In 2022, India recorded 1, 23,907 cervical cancer cases and 77,348 deaths, with the country having the highest burden of cervical cancer in Asia, following China.
The difficulty in cervical cancer detection lies in the 10–15 year span between HPV infection and cancer development. Dr. Vandana Jain, Head of Gynaecology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, highlighted the persistence of high-risk HPV strains leading to cancer, while cultural stigma, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a lack of awareness contribute to the challenges faced in combating the illness.
While experts appreciate the government's initiative to provide free vaccinations for girls aged nine to 14, they stress the need for increased screening access and public awareness. Despite the positive step, HPV vaccination coverage remains poor in India, with only around 1% of eligible females receiving vaccination due to factors like limited availability and high costs.
