title: The present scenario of cervical cancer control and HPV epidemiology in India: an outline.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To give a clear picture with epidemiological evidence about the present scenario of cervical cancer control and HPV in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of published studies, concentrating on recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses and large prospective studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical cancer is unique among cancers in that it can largely be prevented through screening and removal of precursor lesions. It is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is the most common malignancy in developing countries, particularly in India. Nowadays, cervical screening for women is necessary because there are no signs and symptoms of cervical precancers. The establishment of a prevention program is urgently required considering both screening and vaccination. But most women in India do not have access to effective screening programmes. It has been estimated that in India, even with a major effort to expand cytology services, it will not be possible to screen even one-fourth of the population once in a lifetime in the near future. New HPV vaccines will also help prevent HPV infection and the precancerous changes that lead to cervical cancer. The focus on detection and prevention of cervical cancer must be emphasized in a highly populated country like India to prevent its extensive spread.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: J Giftson
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Senapathy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Umadevi
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kannika
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D009313:National Health Programs; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines