Cervical cancer vaccine should be part of routine immunisation

Vaccine for cervical cancer should be included in the routine immunisation programme, said experts at the eighth annual conference of Asia Oceania research organisation on Genital Infections and Neoplasia (AOGIN) here on Friday.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women. Each year, about 75,000 women die of cervical cancer in India.

The HPV vaccine protects against HPV infection and cervical cancer.

Two doses of this vaccine in girls aged between 9 and 14 years can protect them from developing cervical cancer.

Regular screening and treatment of pre-cancerous disease is recommended for all women between 21 and 65 years.

“The sampoorna clinics in 14 districts across the country are providing free vaccination, but this should actually be included in the routine immunisation programme to protect girls against cancer,” said Prof Uma Singh.

Dr Rupinder Shekher said that school level screening programme is required to detect and protect against cervical cancer. AOGIN is an international organisation and its Indian wing is called AOGIN India. AOGIN India’s vision is to reduce the burden of diseases caused by reproductive tract infections, especially Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in India.

It works for prevention, early detection and management of cervical cancer and other genital cancers.

The conference is being organised under the guidance of Prof Nisha Singh from King George Medical University.