The hospital-based cancer registry data from state-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), one of the busiest cancer treatment centres in the tech capital, points to a decline in the cervical cancer burden.Dr Naveen T, director, KMIO, said the percentage share of cervical cancer among all female cancers went down from 19.3% in 2021 to 16.2% in 2025. According to the KMIO Hospital Based Cancer Registry, in 2024, 1,076 cervical cancer cases were recorded among a total of 7,023 cancer cases in women, while in 2025, 929 cases were registered among 5,742 cancer cases in women. “The treatment in some cases is yet to be completed for case files from 2025.
But overall trends, including long-term population-based registry data, indicate a decline in the burden. Several govt-led initiatives in female education, maternal and child health, family planning, and women’s empowerment contributed to a later age at marriage and first pregnancy, and reduced parity (fewer births than the demographic average).
These changes lower the risk of persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the principal cause of cervical cancer,” Dr Naveen explained.However, oncologists remarked that with less than 2% of women undergoing regular cervical cancer screening, there was a long way to go. In fact, doctors who usually consult in private settings noted there was a semi-trend of increase and decrease in cervical cancer across the country. Dr Shruthi Shivdas, consultant, gynaec oncology, Cytecare Hospitals, cited multiple reasons for it. “Medical statistics such as age-standardised incidence rates and mortality rates have reduced in India.
But if you want to look at the absolute number of new cases every year and the absolute number of deaths without a denominator, those are on the rise. We cannot interpret just based on the absolute numbers because the population in India is rising. Women’s lifespans are increasing, plus there is increased reporting from screening uptake and new cancer registries. These numbers rise partly for good reasons — increased reporting.
Screening and vaccination also increased, but not at a scale to counter population rise.”While globally cervical cancer is diagnosed in the age group of 35–65 years, in Indian settings, it takes much longer for women to be diagnosed due to a lack of awareness. Dr Abhilasha Narayan, consultant gynaec oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, KR Road, said, “Peak incidences of cervical cancer are seen among women aged 50 to 59 years, but it is mostly because of late diagnosis.
About 60 to 70% are diagnosed at late advanced stages with poor prognosis.
“Precancerous conditions (the stage before cancer, which can exist for 1 or 2 decades and is usually treatable or even curable) and early stages of cervical cancer usually do not have significant symptoms. Oncologists said they see around 2 to 5 cases of cervical cancer a month, most of which are advanced cases. “However, we pick up a lot of pre-cancers through screening during general check-ups.
Among women who walk in for screening, we detect at least one or two pre-cancer cases roughly every three to six months,” Dr Shruthi said.What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer forms in the tissues of the cervix, the lower narrow end of the uterus connecting to the vagina. It is contracted through persistent infection with high-risk HPV, primarily spread via skin-to-skin genital contact during sexual activity.Symptoms:Excessive, foul-smelling, or blood-stained vaginal discharge, especially post-menopausePost-menopausal bleeding, spottingBleeding after intercourseBleeding or spotting between cycles, or heavy bleeding during cyclesIn advanced cases: abdominal pain, renal failure, leakage of urine or stoolPrecautions:Screening from the age of 25, or once sexually activeRegular Pap smears once in three yearsHPV DNA testing after 30 years of age, every five yearsHPV vaccination can be administered from age 9 to 45 yearsBoxNo vaccination by govt so farThe health department in July 2025 announced HPV vaccinations would be delivered free of cost to 14-year-old girls in mining-affected districts of the state, and more than 37,000 beneficiaries were identified at the time. Now, more than six months later, according to sources, there has been zero administration of the vaccine so far by the govt. However, few NGOs have administered the vaccination in parts of the state.
