Currently, India has no national HPV vaccination program for all adolescents, although the vaccines have been approved and available in private institutions. | Photocredit: Venkatachalapathy C
A growing number of oncologists throughout India have expressed themselves about the fact that the human papillomavirus (HPV) has become an important contributing factor in the rise of cancers in young Indians, especially among those in twenty and thirty.
With increasing cases of cervical, oral and oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection, experts believe that India is about to prevent a cancer crisis to prevent urgent measures to be implemented.
Dr. Ashish Gupta, head of medical oncology in the American hospital of Cancer Cancer, New Delhi, said: “HPV -related cancers are much more striking than we see. Patients in the twenties come in with cervical, oral and throat cancers – many of which could have been avoided with timely vaccination and the correct awareness.”
“What is the most heartbreaking is that HPV can be prevented, but many families and individuals are not even aware of the risk,” said Dr. Gupta.
Unlike other cancers who develop for decades, HPV-related cancers often come quickly and quietly in young people.
Prevention through vaccination and early screening must be treated with the same urgency as any national emergency.
“We need a targeted, Stigm-free, national campaign that reaches schools, colleges and parents,” said Gupta.
The virus, which mainly spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, is known as one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide.
Although the body cleans up most HPV infections on itself, certain risky trunks can persist and lead to cancer.
For women it is the main cause of cervical cancer, while in both men and women, it is now strongly linked to oral, anal and throat cancer.
What experts in the field of problems are further, is the lack of consciousness and the social stigma that surrounds HPV discussions in India – which leads to poor vaccination rates and negligible screening coverage.
Dr Shubham Garg, senior oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana SuperSteciality Hospital Said, “HPV-Related cancers Don’t give you many symptoms early on. That’s why routine screening is so vital. Similarly, Oral HPV Infections in Go Unnoticed Until they present with full-blown tumors.
Currently, India has no national HPV vaccination program for all adolescents, although the vaccines have been approved and available in private institutions.
Worldwide studies have proven that vaccinating both boys and girls before they become sexually active, the HPV transmission and related cancers considerably reduces.
Experts are of the opinion that accepting universal HPV immunization for Pre-Framework, together with catch-up vaccinations for older teenagers and young adults, is the most effective strategy to curb this epidemic. Vaccination alone is not enough.
Dr. Ashish Gupta further said that screening should be as commonplace and normalized as any other preventive health control.
“Our focus must be two -fold -training and empowerment. The stigma around HPV has kept us quiet for too long. We have to normalize the conversations about the virus and the connection with cancer. Pap smears, HPV -DNA tests and oral screening must be accessible in every district hospital and primary health center,” he said.
“Moreover, we need policy that include these services under National Insurance Regulations, so that costs are never a barrier. We are not talking about an incurable disease. We are talking about a cancer that we can in many cases even occur before it even starts. That is a rare opportunity in oncology and one that we are not allowed to waste,” Dr. Dr Gupta.
Dr. Rahul Bhargava, senior oncologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram concluded with a powerful memory: “Every vaccinated child is less cancer in our future.
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Published on June 29, 2025
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