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India Confronts Cervical Cancer Crisis: NAMS Calls for Urgent Action, Pushes Indigenous Solutions and National Strategy

This call to action comes amid rising concerns over low screening rates and delayed diagnoses, especially for cervical and breast cancers. During its 65th Foundation Day, NAMS presented findings from its task force on women’s cancers, emphasizing the pressing need for indigenous innovations and a more robust national programme for cancer prevention.

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Apr 23, 2025

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India is facing a growing cervical cancer crisis, with a woman losing her life to the disease every eight minutes, according to the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). In a significant appeal to the central government, NAMS has recommended that cancer be classified as a notifiable disease—an urgent step aimed at enabling more effective monitoring, early detection, and response mechanisms across the healthcare system.

This call to action comes amid rising concerns over low screening rates and delayed diagnoses, especially for cervical and breast cancers. During its 65th Foundation Day, NAMS presented findings from its task force on women’s cancers, emphasizing the pressing need for indigenous innovations and a more robust national programme for cancer prevention.

Indigenous HPV Tests: Enabling Early Detection at Scale

Highlighting a breakthrough in accessibility, NAMS presented newly developed indigenous HPV tests that offer a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to traditional methods. These tests require minimal training and are designed to be deployed across primary health centers, making early detection more achievable in rural and underserved areas.

“Positive results should be seen as an early warning, not a final verdict,” said Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Vice President of NAMS. “Cervical cancer takes time to develop, and with early detection, it remains highly preventable and treatable.”

These innovations are expected to be incorporated into national health programmes soon, paving the way for a simplified, scalable screening strategy.

HPV Vaccination: A Preventive Powerhouse

Alongside testing, NAMS is urging the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in India’s national immunisation programme. With backing from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), the vaccine could dramatically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Current discussions are focused on determining whether a single-dose or two-dose regimen would be most effective, with ongoing trials set to provide clarity in the near future.

However, logistical challenges remain—chief among them being vaccine delivery capacity and ensuring equitable distribution nationwide.

Gaps in Data and Screening Highlight a Larger Public Health Challenge

Despite being the second most common cancer among women in India, cervical cancer often goes undetected until its later stages. Similarly, breast cancer cases have surged, with one diagnosis occurring every four minutes and accounting for 13.5% of all cancers in the country.

NAMS officials stressed the urgency of improving data collection and expanding screening initiatives. "Effective cancer control starts with knowing where the problems lie," said task force experts, pointing to insufficient infrastructure and a lack of organized national screening as major barriers.

A Call to Strengthen Infrastructure and Expand Access

NAMS council member Prof. SM Bose outlined critical gaps in the country’s diagnostic and treatment landscape. India sees nearly 200,000 new breast cancer cases each year, yet access to essential services like imaging, pathology, surgery, and radiotherapy remains limited in many areas.

To combat this, NAMS has called for immediate investments in healthcare infrastructure, improved diagnostics, and broader availability of advanced therapies. A nationwide screening programme focused on early detection, particularly for women over 30, is central to their vision.

Vision 2030: Reaching the 90:70:90 Target

Looking ahead, NAMS has set a bold target for 2030: achieving 90% HPV vaccination coverage, screening 70% of eligible women, and ensuring 90% of those diagnosed receive timely treatment. Meeting these goals would reduce cervical cancer incidence to fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women annually—bringing India closer to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.

With indigenous innovations, stronger infrastructure, and policy support, India has the tools to change the course of its cancer crisis. NAMS’s recommendations represent a critical roadmap for saving lives and ensuring a healthier future for millions of Indian women.

(With Inputs from TOI)