Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is a powerful global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization to end cervical cancer as a public health threat. The movement shines a spotlight on the urgent need for widespread HPV vaccination, regular screening, early detection, and accessible treatment for women everywhere.

In this special Q&A, we speak with Dr. Vijay Sharnagat (Consultant Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Mumbai), who emphasizes that cervical cancer is largely preventable. He explains how vaccination, high-quality screening, and timely treatment can dramatically reduce both new cases and deaths. Dr. Vijay Sharnagat also urges that India must act now—focusing on awareness, improving access, and strengthening health systems—to effectively tackle this disease.

1) What strategies are most effective for cervical cancer prevention in India today?
Primary prevention with HPV vaccination for adolescent girls (ideally before sexual debut) plus population-level screening (HPV test or high-performance tests) and treatment of precancers are the most effective measures. Complement these with community education, risk reduction (avoid unnecessary radiation), and strengthening referral pathways so screen-positive women get prompt diagnosis and treatment.

2) How can Indian healthcare providers improve cervical cancer screening coverage and adherence among women aged 35–45?

• Offer HPV testing (where available) or VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) as pragmatic alternatives in low-resource settings.
• Integrate screening into existing contact points like maternal clinics, NCD camps, primary health visits and workplace health drives.
• Use single-visit “screen-and-treat” models where feasible (minimise loss to follow-up).
• Provide reminder systems (SMS/phone), task-share with trained nurses/ANMs/ASHAs and reduce out-of-pocket costs via subsidised services.

3) What specific role can Indian doctors play in public awareness and education campaigns to promote HPV vaccination and early screening?
Doctors are trusted messengers they can proactively recommend the HPV vaccine to eligible families, explain safety and benefits in simple terms, debunk myths, and endorse screening during routine visits. Clinicians can partner with schools, local health departments and media to amplify consistent, factual messaging and support training for frontline workers. Personal clinician endorsement increases vaccine and screening uptake significantly.

4) Which HPV vaccination programs are currently recommended in India, and how is the rollout progressing across different states?
India’s national direction has shifted toward including HPV vaccination as a priority: several states have run successful demo/pilot programs (for example Sikkim, Punjab and some recent state initiatives), and the Union Budget and national planning signalled expansion. However, rollout across all states is still being scaled — some states are piloting school-based or catch-up programs for girls aged 9–14, while national plans for UIP inclusion are being operationalised. Progress is variable by state and requires rapid scale-up to reach national targets.

5) How can India align its cervical cancer elimination roadmap with WHO’s global 90–70–90 targets for 2030?
Adopt a time-bound national plan that mirrors WHO’s 90–70–90 targets: 90% of girls vaccinated by age 15, 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by 35 and again by 45, and 90% of women with pre-cancer or cancer receiving appropriate treatment and care. This needs financing, supply-chain readiness (vaccines & test kits), training, data systems and clear monitoring with state-level operational plans and targets.

6) What are the most common cultural and logistical barriers to HPV vaccination uptake among adolescent girls in India?
Common barriers include: parental hesitancy (safety/misperception linking vaccine to sexual activity), lack of awareness, school absenteeism, limited access in rural areas, cold-chain and supply constraints, out-of-pocket costs where vaccine is not free, and inconsistent program messaging. Overcoming these requires culturally sensitive counselling, school-based delivery, community engagement, and visible endorsements from local clinicians and leaders.

7) How can community health workers, especially ASHAs, be empowered to strengthen cervical cancer education and screening outreach in rural areas?
Train ASHAs in simple, clear talking points about HPV and screening benefits; supply them with visual aids and referral slips; incentivise outreach and follow-up; enable ASHAs to mobilise school vaccination drives and accompany women for screening; and integrate their reporting into district data systems. Support with regular refresher training and supplies will make ASHAs highly effective change agents.

8) How is HPV vaccination coverage currently measured across India, and what strategies exist to achieve 90% immunization among girls aged 9–15?
Coverage is measured through routine immunisation reporting systems, special program monitoring (state dashboards) and survey sources; however, baseline coverage has been low in many areas. To reach 90%: implement school-based and community catch-up campaigns, include HPV in UIP with budgeted supply, run targeted communication for parents, monitor coverage by district, and remove financial barriers by providing free vaccines. Real-time microplanning at the district level is essential.

9) What recent government policies or initiatives, such as inclusion of HPV vaccines in the UIP, are advancing India’s elimination goals?
In recent years India has signalled national prioritisation of HPV vaccination (budgetary announcements and technical recommendations), and multiple states have started pilot programs. Parliamentary and expert committees have urged faster UIP inclusion and scale-up. These policy moves combined with indigenous vaccine availability create an enabling environment; operational rollout and financing decisions at central and state levels will determine pace.

10) What steps are needed to ensure equitable access to cervical cancer diagnostics and treatment between urban tertiary hospitals and rural healthcare centres?
Expand point-of-care screening (HPV test/VIA) at primary health centres, strengthen referral pathways to district hospitals for colposcopy and treatment, build hub-and-spoke models linking rural centres to tertiary units, subsidise diagnostics and transportation where needed, and invest in training and telemedicine support so rural clinicians can access specialist guidance. Equity requires financing safeguards and state-level accountability.

11) How can digital health innovations and national registries help track HPV vaccination status, screening participation, and long-term cancer outcomes?
Digital immunisation registries, school health records, mobile reminders, and a national cancer registry that links vaccination and screening data would allow tracking of cohorts, identify coverage gaps, and monitor long-term impact. Digital tools help targeted follow-up, measure program effectiveness, and support research but they must be privacy-protected and interoperable across states.

12) Beyond medical treatment, what can Indian clinicians do to address the socioeconomic and emotional impact of cervical cancer on affected women and families?
Clinicians should provide holistic care: psychosocial counselling, link patients to social support and financial-assistance schemes, involve family in decision-making, refer to rehabilitation and palliative services when needed, and partner with NGOs for vocational/psychosocial rehabilitation. Patient navigators and social workers in cancer centres greatly reduce dropouts and financial toxicity.

13) How can sustained public–private collaborations help India overcome funding shortages, supply-chain constraints, and system-level challenges in achieving cervical cancer elimination?
Public–private partnerships can co-fund vaccine procurement, support cold-chain logistics, provide mobile screening units, invest in training, and run joint awareness campaigns. Private hospitals can mentor district centres, share protocols and telemedicine support, and help build referral networks leveraging strengths across sectors to scale services faster and more equitably.