ASSOCHAM organises conference on ‘Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer’

Since the month of January is observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, ASSOCHAM organised a conference on ‘Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer’ in order to honour and assist women who have either been diagnosed with it or are being treated for this health condition. 

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) was the guest of honour at the conference. “There are some issues that have taken priority over cervical cancer such as TB and COVID. If we intend to prioritise the need to eradicate cervical cancer this would go a long way. The challenges are that we need to address the stigma attached to pelvic examination, and build awareness amongst women in all strata,” she said.

“We need to make screening a mandatory measure and create awareness because even urban women are not aware of it. India has become the pharma destination and we should take the lead in the HPV vaccine.,” she added.

Dr Princess Nothemba (Nono) Simelela, Assistant Director-General and Special Advisor for Strategic Priorities, World Health Organization (WHO) stressed on the need to be optimistic. She said, “We need to recognise global health complacency. We have tools to detect this cancer. We have to make sure these preventive tools reach everybody. These days there is more focus on profit than solidarity because the vaccine is expensive. Everyone needs to take responsibility. There are new technologies that can augment change. Women should come together to challenge and demand these services. We need to make our demands political.”

Dr Shalini Singh, Director, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, MoHFW, GOI, focused on the need to spread awareness, which is lagging behind. She added, “Awareness and knowledge give us power and perception. It also gives us the self-confidence to think from different levels. Ideally, all women should be aware of cervical cancer. Things like ‘where can I seek help?’ or ‘who can get affected’?” She explained that in order to eliminate cancer, the policymakers, medical fraternity, and community need to come together to raise awareness; create demand for primary prevention through vaccination and for screening and early detection. All these together shall fructify the goal of cervical cancer elimination.

Narendra Varde, Managing Director – India & Neighbouring Markets, Roche Diagnostics India informed that one-fourth of cervical mortality comes from India. He further explained that “Cervical cancer is a common cause of death among women of reproductive age. Especially in India, cervical cancer accounts for 17 per cent of all cancer deaths among women between 30 and 69 years. These deaths can be prevented, provided cancer is detected and treated in the early stages. WHO’s three main pillars of Prevent, Screen, and Treat offer a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer elimination by 2030. India too needs a robust public health policy for prevention through HPV screening and vaccination.”

Ravi Bhatnagar, Co-Chairperson, ASSOCHAM CSR Council, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships (SOA)–Reckitt shared that cervical cancer is the fourth-most frequent cancer in women worldwide, after breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, with around 500,000 new cases cropping up every year, as well as 300,000 deaths. Stressing on the fact that it can be cured, he informed that the Government of India (GOI) is also taking all possible measures and initiatives, through robust planning and strategic implementation framework, in this direction. The Ministry of Health has introduced Papanicolaou test (Pap smear screening), HPV-DNA test, and numerous programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, generate awareness, and early detection. Mr. Bhatnagar also focused on the need of creating more awareness, vaccination, and preventive measures in order to erudite the cancer.