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Thursday, January 16, 2014

A boost for the health sector VACCINATION SOON FOR PREVENTION OF CERVICAL CANCER - Vishnu Neopaney

GANGTOK, 10 Jan: The Health Care and Family Welfare department is all set to launch another dream pilot project in the medical sector, particularly a scheme to prevent women from being afflicted with cervical cancer, on 16 January. This is expected to give a boost to the health sector which is identified as one of the primary sectors of the ruling government.
Dr. DK Bhandari, Director General-cum-Secretary told NOW! that the pilot project will officially begin on 16 January 10, 2014 at Chintan Bhawan where Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will officially launch the vaccination drive at a special function.
Cervical cancer, mainly caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, is the leading cancer among Indian women and the second most common form of cancer among women worldwide. Though there are several methods of prevention of cervical cancer, prevention by vaccination is emerging as the most effective option, with the availability of two vaccines. Several studies have been published examining the vaccine's efficacy, immunogenicity and safety.
Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer in humans, the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the most common cancerous cause of death in the developing countries. Sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer.
Current guidelines recommend that these vaccines should be administered to girls in a series of three shots at age 11 or 12, or for girls aged 13 to 26 who have not yet been vaccinated.
It may be metioned that a PIL is pending in the Supreme Court challenging the effectiveness the vaccine of Cervical Cancer popularly known as HPV, however, there is no stay for implementation and administration of this vaccination as of now.
Sikkim has also recorded a high number of cervical cancer in girls and young women for whom state government has decided to implement the pilot project free of cost to prevent the young girls and women from HPV infections.
The priority of routine vaccination programmes must be to target girls and young women, with catch-up programmes that extend to age 25-26 when resources allow. For sexually active women over the age of 25, HPV vaccination can be considered on an individual basis, as most will have the potential to benefit from vaccination.
There are currently several cervical cancer research programmes in India. The National cancer registry programme, established by the Indian council of medical research, acts as a surveillance system for cancer in India.

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