Partha Basu: Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in India

Partha Basu, Head of the Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch at International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), shared on LinkedIn:

“Delighted to share the latest IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization publication in the International Journal of Womens Health on cervical cancer prevention and control in India. As one of the countries bearing the largest global burden of cervical cancer, India stands at a pivotal moment following the launch of its national HPV vaccination programme. In this review, we assess progress toward the WHO cervical cancer elimination targets and identify the key gaps that could determine future success.

Our central message is clear: while successful launch of HPV vaccination is a historic step forward, elimination will depend on simultaneously strengthening screening and treatment services, ensuring that every woman benefits from advances in prevention and early detection.I am thankful to my co-authors Sathishrajaa Palaniraja, Anbumathi Suriyamoorthy, Anu Oommen, Julia Botherton for their valuable contributions.

Cervical Cancer Elimination in India: Progress, Gaps, and the Priorities

Authors: Ravivarman Lakshmanasamy, Sathishrajaa Palaniraja, Anbumathi Suriyamoorthy, Anu Mary Oommen, Julia ML Brotherton, Partha Basu

Background

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and cause of cancer death among women in India, with an estimated 79,000 new cases and 43,000 deaths in 2024. Following the February 2026 nationwide HPV vaccination rollout, this review assesses India’s progress toward the WHO 90– 70– 90 elimination targets and identifies the gaps most likely to determine further progress.

Methods

We conducted a critical narrative review informed by the authors’ program experience and targeted searches from publicly available databases, including national program documents, government reports, national surveys and WHO guidelines until September 2026. We selected evidence relevant to vaccination, screening, and treatment in India and synthesised it thematically.

Results

The national program targets over 10 million girls aged 14 years with a single HPV vaccine dose. About 8 million were vaccinated till September 2026 with very few serious adverse events reported. Facility-only delivery, mandatory written consent and limited supply for additional cohorts are major barriers to achieve the 90% target. Screening coverage remains low [< 2%], with continued reliance on VIA, no harmonised performance indicators and weak linkage to care. Randomised trials support primary HPV testing, and newly validated indigenous assays could make this transition affordable, although triage requirements and overtreatment need attention. Limited colposcopy, loss to follow-up and insufficient radiotherapy capacity constrain treatment.

Conclusion

India has the health-system architecture, manufacturing capacity and digital tools needed for elimination, but remains substantially short of all three targets.

Progress will depend mainly on:

• extending vaccination beyond facilities and to more cohorts
• moving to organised, self-sampled HPV-based screening
• closing the gap between screening and treatment.

Find more details from the study here.”

You can also read: The One Vaccine That Could Save a Generation of Indian Women