What is Cervical Cancer?

• It is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the cervix — the lowermost part of the uterus. 
• Cervical cancer is caused by chronic infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted virus. 
• One can prevent getting this virus by taking vaccination. If the vaccine is given to girls before sexual exposure between 9-14 years, it is more than 99% effective in preventing cervical cancer. 
• The vaccine also protects against genital warts and some other cancers also like anal, vulval vaginal, penile, oropharyngeal cancers as well some cancers of head and neck. 

Why in News?

• In a bid to reduce cases of cervical cancer, the Indian government is likely to roll out an immunisation campaign against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the second quarter of the year. 
• Girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years across India will be vaccinated for free in three phases under the government’s programme over the next three years. 
• After the “catch-up” is completed, the HPV vaccine will be included in the government’s routine immunisation programme for 9-year-old girls.

Why is a HPV vaccination campaign important?

• More than 95% of all cervical cancer cases are linked to persistent infection with certain high-risk strains of HPV. 
• What this essentially means is vaccination can be effectively used to prevent the infection and thereby cervical cancer cases. 
• This is especially necessary in a country like India that accounts for nearly a fifth of the cervical cancer cases globally. India reports around 1.25 lakh cases and about 75,000 deaths each year.

• It is the fourth most prevalent cancer amongst women worldwide and in India, it is the second most common cancer among women.