New Delhi|HL Cervical cancer has staged a return as a major killer among Indian women, once again overtaking breast cancer deaths. Over 62,000 women died of cervical cancer in 2015, accounting for 24% of the total cancer-related deaths of women in India, latest estimates by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) show.
In 2008, cervical cancer was the most common cause of death due to the disease among Indian women. However, a 2012 report by the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency based on data from Census-2011 showed breast cancer upstaging cervical cancer as the most common cancer among Indian women.
But the trends have changed again with the latest ICMR report, tabled by health minister J P Nadda in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, indicating the comeback of cervical cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths among Indian women.
“As reported by ICMR, estimated deaths due to cervical cancer are more than breast cancer among women,” health minister J P Nadda informed the Rajya Sabha.
Breast cancer accounted for the highest number of all new cancer cases reported in 2013 and was the leading cause of cancer-related deaths with over 40,000 mortalities in 2013 and close to 42,000 in 2014. However, according to ICMR findings, deaths due to cervical cancer have increased rapidly during the last two years.
Experts say early screening and greater awareness about breast cancer has made a difference, whereas in cases of cervical cancer there are differences of opinion about treatment and preventive measures. For instance, though there is a vaccine available to prevent cervical cancer, its use in India remains limited given high costs and concerns about its efficacy and long-term safety.
The health ministry is keen to introduce the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in the universal immunisation programme at the earliest. The vaccine fights the virus, responsible for almost 80% of cervical cancer cases. India recently also received $500 million aid from GAVI, an international vaccine alliance, for rolling out a range of vaccines.
Doctors say preventive steps are key to preventing cancer. Apart from the HPV vaccine, diagnosis of diseases like oral, cervical, and breast cancers at an early stage can save lives and reduce distress, especially when this can be linked to better and more accessible pain management.
Inputs: TNN
