HPV contributing towards rising cancer cases among Indian youth: Experts

A growing number of oncologists across India have expressed concern over Human Papillomavirus HPV becoming a major contributing factor in the rise of cancers in young Indians particularly among those in their twenties and thirtiesWith increasing cases of cervical oral and oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection experts believe India is on the brink of a preventable cancer crisis if urgent measures are not implementedDr Ashish Gupta Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital New Delhi said HPVrelated cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical oral and throat cancers many of which could have been avoided entirely with timely vaccination and proper awarenessWhats most heartbreaking is that HPV is preventable yet many families and individuals are not even aware of the risk Dr Gupta saidUnlike other cancers that develop over decades HPVrelated cancers in young people often progress rapidly and silentlyPrevention through vaccination and early screening should be treated with the same urgency as any national health emergencyWe need a focused stigmafree countrywide campaign that reaches schools colleges and parents Gupta saidThe virus which spreads primarily through intimate skintoskin contact is known to be one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globallyWhile the body clears most HPV infections on its own certain highrisk strains can persist and lead to cancerIn women it is the leading cause of cervical cancer while in men and women alike it is now strongly linked to oral anal and throat cancersWhat troubles experts further is the lack of awareness and the social stigma that surrounds HPV discussions in India leading to poor vaccination rates and negligible screening coverageDr Shubham Garg Senior Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital said HPVrelated cancers dont give you many symptoms early on Thats why routine screening is so vital A young woman with no symptoms may already have precancerous changes in the cervix Similarly oral HPV infections in men often go unnoticed until they present with fullblown tumors Without education vaccination and routine checkups were allowing preventable cancers to spread uncheckedCurrently India does not have a national HPV vaccination program for all adolescents although the vaccines are approved and available in private settingsGlobal studies have proven that vaccinating both boys and girls before they become sexually active significantly reduces HPV transmission and related cancersExperts believe that adopting universal HPV immunization for preteens along with catchup vaccinations for older teens and young adults is the most effective strategy to curb this epidemic However vaccination alone isnt enoughDr Ashish Gupta further said that screening must become as commonplace and normalized as any other preventive health checkOur focus must be twofold educate and empower The stigma surrounding HPV has kept us silent for too long We must normalize conversations about the virus and its connection to cancer Pap smears HPV DNA tests and oral screenings should be accessible in every district hospital and primary health center he saidMoreover we need policies that include these services under national insurance schemes so that cost is never a barrier We are not talking about an incurable disease We are talking about a cancer that we can in many cases prevent before it even begins Thats a rare opportunity in oncology and one we must not waste Dr Gupta addedDr Rahul Bhargava Senior Oncologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram concluded with a powerful reminder Every vaccinated child is one less cancer case in our future Every screening that catches earlystage HPV impact is a life redirected toward health and hope Lets not wait until its too late Prevention in this case is not just better than cure mdash its the only rational path forwardThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever