Local anti-cervical cancer HPV vaccine soon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 16

India may soon have a local prevention strategy for cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in Indian women after breast cancer.

The AIIMS, which is taking a lead in the national strategy for elimination of cervical cancer, today said an indigenous HPV vaccine had been developed and was in phase III trials now.

“The indigenous HPV vaccine is expected to be available in the near future. Introduction of HPV vaccine in India is to be taken up and some states have already initiated this vaccination,” said the AIIMS as it initiated a national workshop on cervical cancer screening and treatment strategies ahead of the launch of Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer by the WHO tomorrow, after the closing of the 73rd World Health Assembly.

There are an estimated 96,000 new cases and 60,000 deaths annually due to cervical cancer, which translates to one woman dying in just over eight minutes.

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