Human papillomavirus and control of cervical cancer in India

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the principal cause of cancer-related mortality and is a major reproductive health problem in Indian women. Despite the successful development of vaccines against its causative agent (human papillomavirus [HPV]), which could be used as primary prevention tool, the highly beneficial effects of cervical screening by visual inspection with acetic acid, cytology and recently HPV DNA detection, and advances in technologies for detection of incipient lesions and HPV infection, the problem of cervical cancer is still prevalent in the country. This article reviews the status of HPV and the epidemiology of the major disease that it causes in India with various opportunities, obstacles and efforts to overcome the roadblocks for the control of cervical cancer in resource-limited settings such as India.