Human papillomavirus vaccine for cancer cervix prevention: Rationale & recommendations for implementation in India

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in India. The estimated age-standardized incidence rate was 22.9/100,000 women in 20122. India contributed to one-fourth of the global burden of cervical cancer in 2000. Therefore, researchers emphasized the need for population-based interventions in India to reduce the overall burden of cervical cancer globally3. Despite the lack of large scale screening programmes, there was rapid decline noted in the cervical cancer in urban India. The age-adjusted incidence rate in Chennai declined from 42.3 (1982-1983) to 16.7 (2010) per 100,000. In contrast, the decline was much slower in rural areas. Barshi Rural Registry in Maharashtra documented a marginal decline from 23.5 (1988-1989) to 19.5 per 100,000 (2010)4.