A total of 10.18 crore women aged 30 years and above have been screened for cervical cancer across the country, Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare announced on Friday. This is part of the population-based initiative for screening, prevention, and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), being implemented under the National Health Mission.

How the screening was done?

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the initiative targeted women aged 30 to 65 years, with screening primarily done using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) at Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres under AAM by trained health workers. VIA-positive cases are referred to higher centres for further diagnostic evaluation.

At the grassroots level, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) use Community Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) forms to identify individuals at risk and facilitate their participation in regular health check-ups and screenings at AAMs. ASHAs also help generate awareness about the importance of early detection and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

What is Cervical Cancer?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines cervical cancer as a disease caused by abnormal cells growing in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Although most infections with Human Papillomavirus or HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.

The WHO says, “With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat, cervical cancer can be eliminated as a public health problem within a generation.”

India accounts for 27 percent of the global deaths

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women across the world according to the WHO. In 2022, an estimated 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 350,000 women died from the disease.

“Cervical cancer, which is caused by HPV or Human Papillomavirus, is a serious health concern in India in the present day. One woman succumbs to this cancer every 8 minutes. What is surprising is that more than 1 lakh 23,000 cases are detected every year. Talking about global deaths, India accounts for 27 percent of the global deaths,” Dr. Deepika Chandhok, Founder President Swasthya Vriksha Foundation told The CSR Journal.

“Awareness about cervical cancer is an absolute need of the hour today. There are a lot of questions in people’s minds such as what cervical cancer is, how it happens, how it can be prevented, how it can be cured and what role a vaccine plays in its prevention. It is necessary to address these questions and to bust the myths related to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is like a sanjeevani booti for cervical cancer prevention which has been approved by the World Health Organization. Crores of women aged 20 or above are being safely administered this vaccine across the world,” she informed.

Government’s screening campaign for Non-Communicable Diseases

Under National Health Mission, the Government of India provides funds to all the states and Union Territories to raise awareness on Non-Communicable Diseases. The Ministry had also launched a time-bound NCD Screening Campaign from 20th February to 31st March 2025, to accelerate screening efforts for individuals aged 30 years and above.

As of July 20, 2025, data from the National NCD Portal indicates that 10.18 crore women out of an eligible population of 25.42 crore females aged 30 years and above have been screened for cervical cancer.

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