The “Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025” was launched on 4th July 2025 in Coimbatore as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
India continues to face a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in the country.
According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. Apart from this up to 90% of anal cancers & 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV.
At the Coimbatore event, a panel of medical specialists engaged in an in-depth discussion about the public health implications of HPV.
The panel included Dr. Chitra Bhat, Professor- Unit Head in PSG IMSR and HPV Faculty for training of IMA; Dr. Aarathy, MD & Lead Consultant- MANU Hospital, Coimbatore; Senthil Kumar, Senior Assistant Professor, Neonatology, Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore; Dr. Jayavardhana, Professor and Head- PSG IMSR, Coimbatore; and Dr. Jayashree, Gynecologic Oncologist, Associate Professor, Cancer Institute (WIA) Adyar, Chennai.
The session was moderated by Dr. Nandhini Kumaran, Consultant, Pediatrician, Masonic Medical Centre for Children & Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore.
They highlighted the pressing need for awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents, and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care.
The speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between the ages of 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential.
With an affordable HPV vaccine now available, it has become even easier to protect every individual from HPV associated cancers.
“Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers,” said Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India.
“By bringing together medical experts, healthcare workers, and community members, the forum encourages open dialogue and practical steps toward early detection and prevention,” added Parag Deshmukh.
The Coimbatore conclave concluded with an open dialogue involving audience members, reinforcing the broader goal of the campaign: to reduce the burden of preventable cancers through informed decision-making and community engagement.
The initiative will continue in cities across the country in the coming months, creating platforms for credible voices in healthcare to educate and empower the public.
