HPV Vaccination and Regular screening can prevent cervical cancer

-January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month-

Mohali, January 30, 2026: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Indian women, with nearly 1.3 lakh women diagnosed every year. Sadly, most women in India are diagnosed in advanced stages leading to high death rates. This is truly unfortunate as cervical cancer is a preventable cancer. With January being observed as the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Shweta Tahlan, Senior Consultant, Gynae Onco-Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, gives us a detailed insight on cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of uterus and most cases are reported in the age group of 35-60 years. Majority of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection by high-risk strains of Human papilloma virus, and a precancer stage usually precedes the invasive cancer stage. This detailed understanding of the disease makes it a preventable cancer

Prevention and Early detection

HPV vaccination provides the primary prevention against this deadly disease and timely vaccination gives lifelong protection. The recommended age to get vaccinated is between 9 and 26 years of age, although, it can also be given to women up to 45 years of age. HPV vaccine is very safe, effective, widely available and affordable. HPV vaccination is recommended by all medical organizations like WHO, FOGSI and IAP.

Screening tests provide secondary prevention, and it is done by testing cervical smears for abnormal cells (Pap smear & LBC) and presence of HPV (HPV testing). The test is painless and is done in OPD itself. This helps us detect and cure women in precancer stage itself (before cancer is formed). Screening test is recommended for all women over the age of 25 years.

Early detection helps detect women in early stages of cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer are postcoital vaginal bleeding, persistent vaginal discharge which can be foul-smelling or blood stained, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, continuous or intermenstrual bleeding, lower abdomen pain or discomfort, urinary troubles and severe back ache.

Treatment

Women in early stages are treated effectively by radical surgery and women diagnosed in advanced stages are treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Timely treatment from expert oncologists can provide good survival and excellent quality of life.

Widespread HPV vaccination and regular screening can help save many lives. Our target is to save women from this deadly disease and together, we can achieve it.