Government Data Reveals A Decline In Cervical Cancer

A recent government data has revealed that cervical cancer is on a decline across the country, reports The Times of India. The population-based registries show that the filing of new cervical cancer cases has fallen at an average rate of 1.81% to 3.48%.

The regional entries by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have shown a significant decrease in age-adjusted rate over time. These cities included Bengaluru, Barshi, Chennai, Bhopal, Delhi, and Mumbai.

The cause of the decline of cervical cancer is being credited to the improvement in the living conditions of women. However, experts in the field have a different view. They have said that the incidence rate could be an underestimate due to under-diagnosis.

Cause of decline

The cause of the decline of cervical cancer is being credited to the improvement in the living conditions of women. However, experts in the field have a different view. They have said that the incidence rate could be an underestimate due to under-diagnosis in rural areas.

A public health expert explained that in India, most of the cervical cancer cases are detected with the regional spread of the diseases. Also, very few cases are diagnosed at a localised stage. Hence, many cases may not be reported as cervical cases at all.

Read also: Soon, Low-Cost Device To Detect Cervical Cancer: Nimmi Ramanujam

Indian Council of Medical Research data

The cancer registry by The Indian Council of Medical Research shows that the annual percentage change ie APC over time in the incidence of cervical cancer in Bengaluru is at -2.26%. In Bhopal, it is -1.81%, -3.48% in Chennai, -2.73% in Delhi and -1.99% in Mumbai. All these regions have shown a significant decline in the average annual rate for three and five years respectively.

The official data shows that every year approximately 1, 22,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 died from the disease.

Situation in India

Cervix is the most common site in women's body to be affected by cancer. In India, the number of women who dies due to cervical cancer exceeds any other country in the world. The official data shows that every year approximately 1, 22,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 died from the disease.

A reason to relax!

Earlier in this year, there was a study published by the reputed journal called ‘The Lancet Oncology.’ It said that India could eliminate cervical cancer by the year 2079. To come to this conclusion, the study used the account of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer screening.

Not only this, some practical measures are also in progress. India is planning to introduce the HPV vaccine in government programme by 2020. It has also started the screening for cervical cancer in Health and Wellness centres under the Ayushman Bharat programme.

Picture Credit: royalsurrey.nhs

Read also: Information And Awareness Key In Preventing Cervical Cancer

Udisha Srivastav is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv