Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant push to prevent cervical cancer, the Goa health department has begun administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free of charge to around 13,000 girls aged 14 across the State.
The initiative forms part of a larger immunisation programme led by the Union government, with the goal of reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. Health officials described the single-dose vaccine as a vital preventive measure that can dramatically lower future cancer risk.
Dr Utkarsh Betodkar, Chief Medical Officer at the State Family Welfare Centre, said the vaccine is given before the onset of sexual activity, as HPV is largely transmitted through intimate contact. He noted that an overwhelming majority — estimated between 85 and 100 per cent — of cervical cancer cases are associated with HPV infection.
“Immunising girls at an early age can cut the chances of developing cervical cancer by as much as 93 to 100 per cent,” Dr Betodkar said.
Medical professionals explained that although the body’s immune system can often clear the virus naturally, it may persist in individuals with lower immunity. In such cases, the infection can lead to the development of pre-cancerous changes in cervical cells, which may gradually progress to cancer over a span of 10 to 15 years.
Doctors pointed out that a woman infected in her mid-20s could potentially develop cervical cancer in her late 30s or early 40s if the condition goes undetected. However, early diagnosis and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions can result in complete recovery.
In addition to the vaccination campaign, the health department is conducting screening programmes to identify early signs of cervical abnormalities. Women diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions are provided prompt medical care, significantly improving their long-term health outcomes.
