HPV Becoming Major Factor for Rise in Cancer Cases Among Indian Youth, Say Doctors

With increasing cases of cervical, oral, and oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection, experts believe India is on brink of preventable cancer crisis if urgent measures are not implemented

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: A growing number of oncologists across India have expressed concern over Human Papillomavirus (HPV) becoming a major contributing factor in the rise of cancers in young Indians, particularly among those in their twenties and thirties.

With increasing cases of cervical, oral, and oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection, experts believe India is on the brink of a preventable cancer crisis if urgent measures are not implemented.

Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, said, "HPV-related cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see. Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical, oral, and throat cancers -- many of which could have been avoided entirely with timely vaccination and proper awareness."

"What's most heartbreaking is that HPV is preventable, yet many families and individuals are not even aware of the risk," Dr Gupta said.