Cervical cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. More worryingly, 1,22,844 cases of cervical cancer are registered in India every year. Of these, 64,478 women died. Andhra Pradesh has the second highest number of cervical cancer cases, accounting for 14 percent of the total number of cases in the country, according to Aarogyasri services. To prevent this, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to introduce the HPV vaccine. Here it is important to know how effective this vaccine is in preventing cervical cancer.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix – the lower part of the uterus. Human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection, plays a major role in the development of cervical cancer.

A study of women from urban and suburban areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showed an HPV prevalence of 14.7 percent. Of these, 1.8% were high-risk cases.

The number of cervical cancer cases is continuously increasing

Analyzing trends over time, the researchers found that late-stage cervical cancer is increasing at a rate of about 1.3% per year. The biggest increase was in a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma of the cervix, which is the deadliest form of cervical cancer. Its average annual percentage increase is 2.9%. In such a situation, it is very important to be aware of cervical cancer.

But another study conducted by Andhra University and Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital during 2019-2020. showed that only 10% of women are aware that cervical cancer affects 41.4% of women.

Black women are the most vulnerable

Black women are more likely to develop stage four cervical cancer, but in the South, white women between the ages of 40 and 44 have the highest annual incidence rate of 4.5%.

It is necessary to prevent this in time

According to the American Cancer Society, only cervical cancer screening is recommended for women ages 25 to 65. If HPV testing alone is not available, people can be tested for HPV/Pap. Every woman should have a test every 5 years or a Pap test every 3 years.

HPV vaccination is also recommended to prevent this. Vaccination helps prevent cervical cancer, but people who get the vaccine should have regular cervical cancer screenings.

The government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to vaccinate girls with HPV

Official sources in Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) said vaccination will be done through schools and primary and city health centres.

Although a dose of the vaccine costs Rs 4,000 to 5,000 in the market, APSACS plans to provide it with a 90 per cent subsidy, which means the vaccine will be available for just Rs 400 to 500.

How effective is the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer?

According to a report in the Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, an analysis of a three-year study found the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine to be 95.8%. But this vaccine has been shown to be 100% effective in protecting women from cervical and vulvar cancer.