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Thiruvananthapuram: In a major effort to eliminate cervical cancer among young girls in the state, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination would be administered to girl students in the coming days. The new decision comes in the wake of increasing cases of cervical cancer in the state for the past 5 years.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the minister in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. A final decision on sourcing the vaccine will be made at the technical committee meeting in a week's time.
The cervix uteri is the third most cancer-affected part in females in Kerala, after the breast and thyroid. A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that 7.9 per cent of female patients in Kerala have cervical cancer. The most affected site is the breast (73.35 per cent) and then the thyroid (24.9 per cent) among female patients in Kerala.
“There are various reasons contributing for the increased cases of cervical cancer in Kerala among women. Educating girls during school days is one of the options in this regard. There should be clear guidance given by the schools and parents to the girl child when it comes to consumption aspects and other matters”, said K Shradha, nutritionist, Ernakulam.
The decision by the state health department was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the minister in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. A final decision on sourcing the vaccine will be made at the technical committee meeting in a week's time.
As per health experts, cervical cancer, like the malignancy of the liver, can be prevented by vaccination. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and vaccination against HPV significantly reduces the risk.
The HPV vaccination is most effective when administered between the ages of nine and 14. Nonetheless, doctors say that it could be taken till females reach 26 years.
Earlier in the year, the government had launched a screening campaign for all women above 30 years for cervical and breast cancer. By now, over 17 lakh women have been screened. The vaccination of school girls is the next step in the process to reduce cancer incidences in Kerala.
The high-level meeting also decided to launch a massive awareness drive in the run-up to the HPV vaccination drive. Students, teachers and parents will be made part of the drive.
