Bengaluru: SII launches HPV-cancer awareness campaign

Bengaluru: The Serum Institute of India (SII) launched a nationwide HPV-cancer public awareness campaign at 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025' on Tuesday in Bengaluru.

Experts noted that India continues to face a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women.

The ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023) reported over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. Additionally, up to 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV.

Dr Chidananda NK, senior consultant paediatrician and allergist; Dr Prashanth MV, consultant paediatrician, neonatologist, and paediatric allergy asthma specialist; Dr Shobha K, professor and head, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology; and Dr Rajini Uday, professor and head, Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, participated in a session moderated by Dr Bhaskar Shenoy, chief, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Division, at a private hospital in the city.

They pointed to the urgent need for public awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care. The campaign aims to reduce the burden of preventable cancers through informed decision-making and community engagement.