Expressnews
Chennai, 10 June 2025: The “Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025” was launched today in Chennai as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
India continues to face a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in the country. According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. Apart from this, up to 90% of anal cancers & 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV.
At the Chennai event, a panel of medical specialists engaged in an in-depth discussion about the public health implications of HPV. The panel included:
• Dr. Vijaya, HOD & Prof. ESIC Medical College & Hospital Chennai, President-OGSSI, Chennai 2024, Member-FOGSI Medical Education Committee
• Dr. Somu Sivabalan, Consultant Pediatrician and Pulmonologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai, Executive Board Member, IAP, Tamil Nadu State Chapter: 2014, 2023 & 2024
• Dr. Kavitha Sukumar, who is an Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology at the Institute of Obstetrics &Gynaecology, MMC, and a Consultant Gyne Oncologist at Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet
• Dr. B. Sarath Balaji, Senior Pediatric Pulmonologist, Associate Professor, ICH MMC, Incharge Primary Immunodeficiency, Head-NTEP Centre of Excellence, Tamil Nadu, IAP Active Pediatrician Award 2017
The session was moderated by Dr. Jayashree N., Gynecologic Oncologist, Associate Professor, Cancer Institute (WIA) Adyar, Chennai, EC member AOGIN India 2024-2026. Together, they highlighted the pressing need for awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents, and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care.
The speakers emphasized that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential.With an affordable HPV vaccine now available, it has become still more easier to protect every individual from HPV associated cancers.
“Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers,” said Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India. “By bringing together medical experts, healthcare workers, and community members, the forum encourages open dialogue and practical steps toward early detection and prevention.”
The Chennai conclave concluded with an open dialogue involving audience members, reinforcing the broader goal of the campaign: to reduce the burden of preventable cancers through informed decision-making and community engagement. The initiative will continue in cities across the country in the coming months, creating platforms for credible voices in healthcare to educate and empower the public.
Serum Institute of India, headquartered in Pune, is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume and has played a longstanding role in advancing public health in India and globally.
