The National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) is urging the Government of India to catgarize cancer as a notification disease (it is necessary to inform government officials under the law). Actually, NAMS wants to improve cancer, prevention and treatment strategies by doing so. With this, health officials will be able to track cancer cases more well and will be able to respond rapidly on emerging trends. NAMS also spoke on the role of indigenous HPV tests and vaccines as an important tool in the fight against cervical and breast cancer.
Along with this, India has taken an important step towards the investigation of cervical cancer. India has created its own HPV test kit to find cervical cancer soon. This test kit was launched a few days ago and is especially made keeping in mind the needs of India.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a virus that can cause cervical cancer in women. If it is detected in time, then this cancer can be treated easily, so testing is very important.
Who made this kit?
The Test kit was built as part of a government promagh called Grand Challenge India led by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Birac. Many top hospitals and research centers in the country helped develop and test the kit. These include AIIMS Delhi, NICPR Noida and NIRCH Mumbai. All of them also worked with the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO was connected in this project to see that the tests should be safe and accurate.
Why is this kit special?
This kit examines 7-8 most common types of HPV causing cancer. This makes the test fast, economical and effective, which is perfect for India. Kit uses a method called RT-PCR for testing, which became common during Covid-19 epidemic and is very accurate. Dr. Neerja Bhatla, who led the project, said that these test kits can save their lives by helping to catch cancer early.
Why is this kit necessary for India?
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women. 1 out of every 5 women suffering from cervical cancer in the world are from India. According to another report, every 8 minutes in India, a woman is losing her life due to cervical cancer. Out of all the deaths due to this cancer, 25% are in India, due to which women are not investigated on time. In such a situation, it is treated very late and the patient’s condition deteriorates.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a kind of cancer that occurs in cervix. Cervix is ​​the lower part of the uterior that connects with vagina. The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus). HPV is very common and often spreads from the skin coming into contact with the skin during sex. All types of HPVs do not cause cancer, but some high -risk cervix can change the cells, which can turn into cancer over time.
How was it done so far to investigate cervical cancer?
There are three ways to check cervical cancer, which were still used.
Via Test- This test is very fast, but there is a question mark on its accuracy. Actually, its results are not always accurate.
Pap Smeer – Pap smear is used to check cervical cancer in many countries, but this test is very expensive.
HPV DNA Test – This test is very accurate, but it is difficult to use it in some places.