Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 22: Preventive Oncology Unit, State Cancer Institute (SCI) Jammu organized a vaccination cum awareness drive against cervical cancer for women in the age group of 9-26 years.
The immunization camp was inaugurated by Dr Ashutosh Gupta (Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu). Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gupta highlighted that there is an urgent necessity to educate people and make healthcare providers aware about the importance of HPV vaccines. He informed that HPV vaccine will now be available for everyone on cost-to-cost basis.
According to latest statistics, about 604,100 new cases of cervical cancer were detected globally and 341,831 deaths were attributed to this malignancy in 2020 alone. In India, it is the third most common cancer affecting about 1,23,907 women and about 77,348 women died from this disease in the year 2020.
Dr Rajiv K Gupta (Head, Department of Community Medicine) elaborated that risk of cervical cancer can be reduced by screening tests and by receiving the vaccine that protects against HPV infection. He said this vaccine is recommended for the age group 9-26 years for both males and females.
The camp was organized by Dr Bhavna Langer, Associate Professor and Nodal Officer Preventive Oncology Unit who said that the indigenous developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine will help Indian women and women across the globe in major ways.
Dr Kamna Singh (Lecturer) and Dr Sumaira actively contributed towards the successful implementation of the vaccine drive. A total of 40 girls including wards of faculty and staff of GMC Jammu and associated hospitals, interns and general public, were vaccinated during the camp.
Dr Deepak Kumar (Deputy Medical Superintendent, SCI Jammu) elaborated that the HPV vaccine will now be made available on daily basis at State Cancer Institute Jammu. He encouraged women to come forward and get vaccinated.
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