Health experts warn that cervical cancer often develops without clear symptoms, leading many women to delay screening; Early Cervical Cancer Screening through HPV testing and routine exams can prevent disease progression and reduce deaths, particularly in low-awareness settings.
Experts Warn Silent Disease Delays Care
Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet awareness and early detection remain major challenges worldwide, the World Health Organization said, noting that nearly four in 10 cancer cases could be avoided through prevention strategies.
The disease frequently advances unnoticed because early cellular changes rarely cause pain or visible signs. Persistent infection with human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the primary cause, and the cancer can often be cured if detected and treated early. Early Cervical Cancer Screening is essential for identifying these risks before they progress.
“Cervical cancer doesn’t start as a crisis,” said Dr. Lubna Chingili, chief medical officer at NURA AI Health Screening Centre. “It begins with slow, precancerous cell changes that are entirely treatable if we catch them early.”
Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with about 660,000 new cases and roughly 350,000 deaths reported in 2022.
Late Diagnoses Highlight Screening Gap
Delayed diagnosis remains a significant problem in India. A recent report found about 65% of women with cancers such as cervical and ovarian arrive at hospitals in advanced stages, complicating treatment and lowering survival rates.
Screening participation is also low. Only about 1.9% of eligible Indian women aged 30 to 65 have ever undergone cervical screening, despite the disease ranking among the country’s most common cancers.
Symptoms often appear late and may include abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge, or pelvic pain, which experts say should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
“The absence of symptoms is precisely what makes Early Cervical Cancer Screening so vital,” Chingili said. “By the time the body sends warning signs, the disease has often progressed.”
Routine screening detects precancerous lesions before they develop into cancer, allowing timely treatment and prevention.
Vaccination, Technology, And Awareness Drive Prevention
Health authorities emphasize HPV vaccination and regular screening as the most effective defenses. Vaccinating girls ages nine to 14 is highly effective at preventing infections that cause most cervical cancers.
In Maharashtra, officials have received more than 950,000 HPV vaccine doses but are awaiting federal guidelines before launching a statewide campaign targeting adolescents.
Advances in diagnostics are also improving detection. Researchers recently reported that menstrual blood testing showed about 94.7% sensitivity in identifying cervical abnormalities, suggesting a promising noninvasive alternative to traditional screening methods.
Meanwhile, affordable technologies under development aim to expand access to early diagnosis, particularly in underserved areas where timely testing remains limited. Early Cervical Cancer Screening serves as the vital link between these new technologies and patient survival.
“Cancer usually takes 15 to 20 years to develop, which gives us enough time for screening and intervention,” said a medical expert cited in an NDTV report, underscoring the window for prevention.
Public health specialists say normalizing routine exams can shift care from crisis response to prevention, preserving fertility, reducing invasive treatment, and improving long-term outcomes.
“A single visit can safeguard years of health,” Chingili said. “Early detection doesn’t just save lives. It protects how those lives are lived.”
