Doctors call for urgent nationwide HPV vaccination and screening to prevent a looming cancer crisis among India’s youth
New Delhi — A growing wave of concern is sweeping India’s medical community as oncologists warn of a significant rise in cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among young Indians in their twenties and thirties.
Leading cancer experts say that HPV-related cervical, oral, and throat cancers are increasing at an alarming rate, and most of them are entirely preventable through timely vaccination and awareness.
“A Preventable Crisis” Emerging in India
“HPV-related cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see,” said Dr. Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital, New Delhi. “Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical, oral, and throat cancers—many of which could have been avoided with proper vaccination and awareness.”
Dr. Gupta emphasized that the virus is highly preventable, yet public knowledge remains dangerously low. “What’s most heartbreaking is that HPV is preventable, yet many families and individuals are not even aware of the risk.”
Unlike other cancers that may take decades to develop, HPV-linked cancers in young people often progress quickly and without obvious symptoms.
Understanding HPV and Its Link to Cancer
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally. It spreads primarily through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity.
While most HPV infections are cleared naturally by the body, certain high-risk strains of the virus can persist and lead to cancer.
Cancers linked to high-risk HPV strains include:
- Cervical cancer (the most common HPV-related cancer in women)
- Oral and oropharyngeal cancers (throat, base of tongue, tonsils)
- Anal cancer
- Penile cancer
- Vaginal and vulvar cancers
Dr. Shubham Garg, Senior Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, explained that early signs are often missing: “A young woman with no symptoms may already have precancerous changes in the cervix. Similarly, oral HPV infections in men often go unnoticed until tumors are visible.”
Lack of Awareness and Stigma a Major Barrier
Doctors agree that social stigma and lack of sex education are key reasons why India is falling behind in HPV prevention.
Despite the availability of HPV vaccines in private hospitals and clinics, India does not yet have a national immunisation program for adolescents.
“We need a focused, stigma-free, countrywide campaign that reaches schools, colleges, and parents,” Dr. Gupta said.
Experts Urge Universal Vaccination and Routine Screening
Global research shows that vaccinating both boys and girls before they become sexually active drastically reduces HPV transmission and related cancer risk.
Oncologists recommend:
- Universal HPV vaccination for preteens (ages 9–14)
- Catch-up vaccinations for older teens and young adults
- Routine cervical screenings such as Pap smears and HPV DNA tests
- Oral cancer screenings for men, especially those with high-risk habits (smoking, tobacco use, unprotected sex)
“Vaccination alone isn’t enough,” said Dr. Gupta. “Our focus must be twofold—educate and empower. The stigma surrounding HPV has kept us silent for too long.”
He added that screenings should become “as common as blood pressure tests or diabetes checkups. Pap smears, HPV DNA tests, and oral screenings must be available in district hospitals and primary health centers.”
What Needs to Happen Next?
India currently faces a critical opportunity to avert a preventable cancer epidemic by acting swiftly on HPV awareness, vaccination, and screening.
Experts are calling on the Union Health Ministry, State Governments, and public health stakeholders to:
- Launch a nationwide HPV awareness campaign
- Include HPV vaccination in national immunisation schedules
- Provide free or subsidized screening in government facilities
- Promote inclusive, stigma-free sex education in schools
The Bottom Line
HPV-related cancers are on the rise among young Indians, and many are unaware of the risk until it’s too late. With proven vaccines and screening tools readily available, doctors say it’s time India moves past stigma and silence to tackle this growing threat head-on.