HPV vaccine, anti-tobacco drives crucial for cancer control: Expert

AURANGABAD: India needs to stress on human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and reduction of tobacco consumption to bring down cases of cancer, vice-president talent development & inclusion of American Cancer Society Maria Guyette said on Tuesday.

Guyette was speaking at a meeting organised by the Aurangabad branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) that included doctors and journalists.

IMA Aurangabad president Kuldeepsing Raul had called the meeting to discuss the difference in treatment of cancer in the USA and India, and how India can prevent incidences of cancer.

Officers on special duty at Government Cancer Hospital Arvind Gaikwad, Shyam Mahajan, IMA Aurangabad secretary Yashwant Gade, joint-secretary Harmeet Singh Bindra participated in the discussion.

Guyette said that statistics show that oral, cervical and breast cancers are most common in India among all types of cancers. “The ACS is recommending that boys and girls as young as 11 years should be administered two shots of HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine prevents vaginal, penal, throat, tongue and cervical cancer,” she said.

She added that due to the lobbying of ACS, heavy taxation on tobacco products in many states in the US, banning on advertisements and extensive awareness against tobacco consumption and smoking has been raised in the US.

“Similar initiatives in India can prevent people falling prey to oral cancer,” she said.

Talking about prevention, Guyette said things are caught early in the US which makes the treatment more effective. “Addressing the social stigma around cancer, public education, extensive screening, healthy lifestyle and diet will reduce cancer cases,” she said.

She added that in order to address one of the significant deterrents to the treatment, volunteers and corporate companies in the US facilitate transportation and lodging of patients seeking cancer treatment to a place away from their home.