Andhra Pradesh: Free cervical cancer screening, vaccination camp held

Visakhapatnam: A cervical cancer screening and vaccination programme was organised by Digumarti Foundation in association with Eco Carbon Private Ltd., on the occasion of International Women’s Day, at the ZP High School at Dharmarayudupeta village, Ravada Panchayati, Paravada Mandalam here on Tuesday. In a bid to prevent cervical cancer incidence, all the girls of the […]

Visakhapatnam: A cervical cancer screening and vaccination programme was organised by Digumarti Foundation in association with Eco Carbon Private Ltd., on the occasion of International Women’s Day, at the ZP High School at Dharmarayudupeta village, Ravada Panchayati, Paravada Mandalam here on Tuesday.

In a bid to prevent cervical cancer incidence, all the girls of the 9 and 10 class were vaccinated against human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer and 6 other cancers. Their mothers were screened for cervical cancer for HPV using the RT PCR test.

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Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in India. The mother’s awareness about the symptoms and risk factors has a large impact on the daughter’s knowledge and attitude. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. D Leela, Gynaecology Oncologist, KIMS Icon Hospital, Visakhapatnam, said daughter’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake was associated with mother’s cervical cancer screening attendance. As key decision makers, mothers are central to health interventions to promote both cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination,she noted.

Underscoring the importance of HPV vaccination, Dr. D Ragunatha rao, Founder Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, said daughters in the age between 10 to 14 are given two doses HPV vaccination at an interval of 6 months while above 15 years were given three doses at a 0, 2 and 6 months interval to protect against HPV infection, thereby preventing cervical cancer.